After an impressive non-conference win to add to their already impressive resume, the Trojans are back at it with another tough non-conference opponent. Charleston wraps up their December regular season before Christmas Holiday Tournament plays on the road at Newton. Both teams have identical records with perfect conference records. 

Here’s a preview of tonight’s game. 

Team Records: Charleston (8-2, 4-0) @  Newton (8-2, 2-0)

Where: Newton High School 

Tickets: Tickets can be purchased at Newton High School

School Size: Charleston (796), Newton (434)

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

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

Opponent’s History: Head coach Tom Bierman enters his fourth season with a 41-46 record. Before Bierman, Doug Mammoser had piled up 338 wins in two stints that lasted 21 years in total. Newton is a former member of the Apollo Conference that has since competed in the Little Illini. The team hasn’t won a Regional since 2000 and owns two winning seasons since 2014. 

Newton’s Past Results: Newton opened the season with blowout wins over Dieterich and Cumberland. Then, the team narrowly beat Casey-Westfield, 46-42. Their first loss was 48-43 to Salem. After that, the team beat Paris 55-48, Altamont 43-40, North Clary 59-52, and Flora 51-46. Their second loss came to St. Anthony 54-42, but the team rebounded with a 62-59 win over Robinson. 

Newton’s Top Players: Senior Mason Schafer leads the team with 21.0 points per game, while senior Evan Schafter adds 16.0 points per game.  Evan Schafer is a returning First-Team All-Little Illini Conference selection from last year’s 8-8 team. Senior Ben Meinhart was an Honorable-Mention LIC selection and leads the team in assists with 6.0 per game. Mason Schafer leads the team in rebounding with 8.0. 

Newton’s Team Stats: Newton is averaging 54.7 points per game and allowing 46.7 points per game. 

Charleston’s Past Results: Charleston is coming off a hard-fought 57-54 win over Effingham St. Anthony. Jaksen Braun led the team with 17 points, while Caleb Oakley scored the final five points to ensure the Trojans a victory. William Applegate added 13 points, while Jackson Burgess scored 11 points. 

Charleston’s Team Stats: Charleston is averaging 58.5 points per game and allowing 51.3 points per game. 

What Newton  said: “Charleston has quick athletic players that will make tough matchups for us,” said Bierman. 

What Charleston said: “Newton plays fast and plays aggressive defense. We will need to handle their full-court pressure and execute our offense. Execution of our offense and defense has been an area of focus for us recently. Understanding shot selection late in the game, taking away opponents’ main scoring actions, and overall playing Charleston basketball.” – CHS Coach Cody Drone