With a win over MacArthur, Mattoon would post its fourth 20th win season during Amanda Aydt’s eight seasons coaching. The Generals, a revived program, have competed at a high level in the Central State 8 Conference.

Here is the preview of tonight’s game.

Team Records: Mattoon (19-2) vs. Decatur MacArthur (12-7)

Where: Mattoon High School

Tickets: Tickets can be purchased at Mattoon High School

School Size: Mattoon (930), Decatur MacArthur (1,105)

Varsity Tip-Off: 6 p.m. No JV game is scheduled

Opponent’s History: Sean Flaherty took over the girls basketball team last year after former girls coach Mike Williams tragically passed away in the summer of 2020. In three years, Williams turned around the girls’ program that won 12 games from 2013 to 2017. Williams went 72-26 with two IHSA Regional Championships. Last year, the team finished 10-1. Flaherty is well-known in the Decatur area, where he coached the Eisenhower program for eight years, compiling an 82-161 record with one regional title.

MacArthur’s Past Results: Since Jan. 1, MacArthur lost to Sacred Heart-Griffin 53-52, but has defeated Springfield Lanphier 50-43 and Chatham Glenwood 46-43. The team competes in the Central State 8, where they own a 7-2 record.

MacArthur’s Top Players: Junior Christina Rice leads the team in points with 16.7 per game. The 5-foot-8 forward also leads the team in rebounds with 7.7. Amaria Adams-Pender is second on the team with 11.3 points. Adams-Pender and Kayla Jackson lead a tight defense that is averaging 3.7 and 3.0 steals, respectively. Lilly Null contributes 6.5 rebounds per game.

MacArthur’s Team Stats: MacArthur is averaging 58.3 points per game and shoots 38% as a team.

Mattoon’s Past Results: Mattoon fell to Lincoln, the No. 6 ranked team in the AP Poll, on Friday by a score of 65-54 on the road. The following day, Mattoon defeated St. Joseph-Ogdon 61-51 at home.

Mattoon’s Team Stats: Mattoon is averaging 61.9 points per game and allowing 36.2 points per game.

What Mattoon Said: “We have played some really tough basketball teams this past week and I am really happy with the way we played,” said MHS coach Amanda Aydt. “Our players play hard and try their best. It’s not going to get any easier this week. We have to come out ready to play every game.