The St. Rita varsity basketball team (Chicago, IL) will host a conference game against Chicago Mt. Carmel (Chicago, IL) on Friday, January 31, at 7:00 PM.
St. Rita vs Chicago Mt. Carmel Game Info:
What: Illinois High School Basketball
Who: St. Rita (IL) vs Chicago Mt. Carmel (IL)
When: Friday, January 31, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game preview: St. Rita vs Chicago Mt. Carmel
The 2024-25 high school basketball season has painted a stark contrast between two teams in Illinois: Chicago Mt. Carmel and St. Rita. While Mt. Carmel has demonstrated consistency and dominance throughout the season, St. Rita has struggled to find momentum, suffering a series of tough losses. This article breaks down their performances, strengths, and challenges as they head towards the final stretch of the season.
Season Performance Overview
Chicago Mt. Carmel (18-5, 2-3 Conference)
Mt. Carmel has been a powerhouse this season, boasting an impressive .783 winning percentage. They have excelled in non-league play with a 9-1 record and have been particularly strong at neutral sites (9-1). However, their 2-3 conference record shows some struggles against top-tier competition. Despite this, their scoring dominance has been evident, racking up 1,501 points while conceding 1,123 to opponents.
St. Rita (4-18, 0-6 Conference)
On the other end, St. Rita has endured a difficult season, with a disappointing .182 winning percentage. Their conference record is winless at 0-6, and their overall performance has been hampered by offensive struggles. St. Rita has scored only 901 points while giving up 1,201, reflecting a lack of defensive stability and offensive efficiency.
Scoring and Statistical Comparisons
| Category | Chicago Mt. Carmel | St. Rita |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 65.1 | 41.0 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 31.4 | – |
| Assists Per Game | 10.7 | – |
| Steals Per Game | 8.7 | – |
| Blocks Per Game | 1.7 | – |
Mt. Carmel significantly outperforms St. Rita in every major statistical category, particularly in scoring where they average 24.1 more points per game. Their defensive presence is also stronger, with superior rebounding, assists, steals, and blocks.
Quarter-by-Quarter Performance
Mt. Carmel has been remarkably consistent across all four quarters, averaging 65.3 points per game, with their strongest quarters being the first (17.8 PPG) and third (17.7 PPG). St. Rita, on the other hand, struggles early in games, scoring only 7.8 points in the first quarter, often putting themselves in an early deficit.
| Quarter | Mt. Carmel PPG | St. Rita PPG |
| Q1 | 17.8 | 7.8 |
| Q2 | 15.0 | 8.8 |
| Q3 | 17.7 | 13.5 |
| Q4 | 14.7 | 10.5 |
| Final | 65.3 | 41.0 |
Key Players to Watch
Chicago Mt. Carmel
- #5 Cameron Thomas (19.2 PPG) – The leading scorer and a dominant force on offense.
- #3 Grant Best (9.6 RPG, 3.1 SPG) – A defensive and rebounding presence.
- #2 Noah Mister (3.0 APG) – The primary playmaker setting up scoring opportunities.
- #50 Claude Mpouma (1.0 BPG) – Rim protection specialist.
St. Rita, unfortunately, lacks standout individual statistics, which is indicative of their struggles this season.
Common Opponents Analysis
Mt. Carmel has performed admirably against common opponents, securing a 6-4 record, while St. Rita has been unable to win a single game against the same teams, going 0-10.
Notable results include:
- Mt. Carmel’s 80-49 win over Saint Ignatius College Prep, while St. Rita lost to the same team 65-25.
- Mt. Carmel defeated IC Catholic Prep 62-51, whereas St. Rita lost 64-56.
- St. Rita lost to De La Salle 55-41, a team Mt. Carmel managed to edge out 66-63.
Outlook for the Rest of the Season
Chicago Mt. Carmel is poised for a strong finish, with eyes on playoff success. Their ability to score, defend, and control the pace of the game makes them a dangerous team in any matchup. Their only concern remains their conference struggles, where they must improve if they hope to make a deep postseason run.
For St. Rita, the remaining games provide an opportunity for development and potential upsets. While their season has been rough, a focus on defensive improvement and offensive consistency could help them find some late-season success.
Conclusion
Chicago Mt. Carmel and St. Rita have had vastly different seasons. While Mt. Carmel is pushing towards postseason success, St. Rita is fighting to gain some traction and improve for the future. As both teams continue their campaigns, fans can expect Mt. Carmel to remain a dominant force while St. Rita looks to turn things around with a strong finish.
