After two state-ranked wins on the road, Mattoon returns home with Apollo Conference foe Taylorville. A win keeps the Green Wave undefeated in the Apollo while strengthening their resume once the new IHSA voting comes out next month. 

Here is the preview of tonight’s game. 

Team Records: Mattoon (7-1, 2-0) vs. Taylorville (3-3, 1-2)

Where: Mattoon High School

Tickets: Tickets can be purchased at Mattoon High School

School Size: Mattoon (930), Taylorville (757)

JV Tip-Off: 6:00 p.m.

Varsity Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m.

Opponent’s History: Hayden Eldred enters his second season coaching the Tornadoes. Last year, the team finished 3-15. The team last won a Regional Championship in 2012-2013 and hasn’t had a winning season since 2014-2015. 

Taylorville’s Past Results: Taylorville was blown out by Rochester to start the season, but rallied to defeat Jacksonville, Mt. Zion, and Hillsboro to win three straight. However, the team is on a two-game losing streak after losing to Effingham 38-34 and Lincoln 57-31. 

Taylorville’s Top Players: Taylorville was right above Mount Zion at the bottom of the standings last year but brought back sophomore guard Aubrey Keitzman, who averaged 8.4 points and 1.1 steals. Taylorville lost three seniors, including their lone All-Apollo selection in Haylee Sagle, who was the team’s leading scorer. 

Taylorville’s Team Stats:  Taylorville is averaging 46.3 points per game and allowing 45.6 points per game. 

Mattoon’s Past Results: Mattoon is giving the IHSA to give the team some love in the rankings. Right now, Maxpreps has the Green Wave ranked No. 13 as of December 10th. The Green Wave are coming off two wins over state-ranked opponents, a 59-35 win over Effingham, and a 61-36 win over Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond.  

Mattoon’s Team Stats: Against Effingham, senior standout Mallory Ramage became the all-time points leader in school history, where she led Mattoon with 23 points. Chloe Pruitt added 18 points as well. Against ALAH, Ramage scored 16 points, Faith Niebrugge added 15, while Lilly Ghere added 12 points. As a team, Mattoon is averaging 60.0 points per game and allowing 36.1 points per game.