The Routt Catholic varsity basketball team (Jacksonville, IL) will host Pleasant Hill (IL) in a home conference game on Friday, December 20 at 7 p.m.

Routt Catholic vs Pleasant Hill Game Info:

What: Illinois High School Basketball
Who: Routt Catholic (IL) vs Pleasant Hill (IL)
When: Friday, December 20, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Routt Catholic vs Pleasant Hill

As the 2024-2025 basketball season progresses, two teams in Illinois—Pleasant Hill and Routt Catholic—have garnered attention for their early records and performances. Here’s a breakdown of their performances so far and how they match up head-to-head.

Pleasant Hill (2-5 Overall, 0-1 Conference)

Pleasant Hill’s start to the season has been challenging. With an overall record of 2-5, the team has faced difficulty finding consistent success, both in conference and non-conference matchups. Their lone conference loss to date has not been the sole source of frustration, as the team has also struggled in non-league games with a 2-2 record. At home, they have been able to pull off one victory but have faced more defeats when playing away or at neutral sites.

Despite these struggles, Pleasant Hill has shown flashes of strong offensive play. The team averages 54.4 points per game, with the most scoring occurring in the third and fourth quarters. On average, they score 9.5 points in the first quarter, 9.0 in the second, 17.0 in the third, and 14.5 in the fourth. However, their defense has allowed 411 points against them, translating to an average of 58.71 points per game allowed.

Their season thus far includes tough losses to teams like North Greene, Greenfield/Northwestern, and Carrollton, with their closest loss being a 51-50 heartbreaker to North Greene.

Routt Catholic (8-0 Overall, 1-0 Conference)

In stark contrast, Routt Catholic has experienced a perfect start to the season, going 8-0. Their record includes a dominant performance in conference play (1-0) and a perfect 4-0 record in away games. Routt Catholic has been able to deliver consistent performances both at home and on the road, outscoring opponents by a wide margin, with an average of 47.6 points per game.

The team’s scoring breakdown also shows a tendency to pick up steam in the second half, averaging 17.0 points in the second quarter and 15.0 points in both the third and fourth quarters. Their defense has been solid, allowing just 285 points on the season, or 35.6 points per game.

Routt Catholic’s success is highlighted by their victory over common opponents, including a decisive 55-35 win over Triopia/Meredosia-Chambersburg/Virginia. Their ability to outperform teams like Greenfield/Northwestern and West Central co-op has set them up for an undefeated start.

Common Opponents and Head-to-Head

Both teams have faced common opponents, although their records against these teams tell a different story. Pleasant Hill has struggled in their matchups, going 0-3 against common foes such as North Greene, Greenfield/Northwestern, and Carrollton. Meanwhile, Routt Catholic has thrived, with a 1-0 record against these same teams, including victories over Greenfield/Northwestern and Triopia/Meredosia-Chambersburg/Virginia.

Looking at head-to-head matchups between the two schools, it’s important to note that there has yet to be a contest between these two teams this season. As of now, they have no direct record against one another, but their upcoming games against other opponents will likely provide further insight into how they may perform against each other when the time comes.

Breakdown by Location

• Home Games: Both teams have performed relatively well at home, with Pleasant Hill securing a 2-2 record in their home games, and Routt Catholic remaining perfect (1-0) in their lone home game so far.
• Away Games: Routt Catholic has been exceptional away, going 4-0. In contrast, Pleasant Hill has had more trouble on the road, securing only one victory in four away games.
• Neutral Sites: At neutral sites, both teams have enjoyed success. Routt Catholic holds a 3-0 record, while Pleasant Hill has struggled with a 1-2 neutral site record.

Key Takeaways

The 2024-2025 basketball season has shown clear differences in the early performances of these two teams. Routt Catholic’s undefeated record is a testament to their strong all-around play, particularly their defense, which has been a defining factor in their success. On the other hand, Pleasant Hill’s struggles suggest that they may need to shore up their defense and find more consistent scoring to get back on track.

As the season unfolds, the rivalry between these two teams, especially in their matchups against common opponents, will be one to watch. If Pleasant Hill can turn things around and improve on both sides of the ball, they may yet challenge Routt Catholic for supremacy in the league.