It’s been a decade since Mattoon left the Big 12 Conference but for the old-time fans, this will be a blast from the past. The former Big 12 conference member will take on Champaign Centennial in non-conference action. 

Here is tonight’s preview:

Team Records: Mattoon (6-18, 2-6) vs. Champaign Centennial (7-13, 0-5)

Where: Mattoon High School

Tickets: Tickets can be purchased at Mattoon High School

School Size: Mattoon (926), Champaign Centennial (1,356)

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

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

Opponent’s History: Tim Lavin entered his 22nd season coaching the Chargers. Lavin is the winningest coach in school history with 376 career wins. In his coaching career, Champaign Centennial has won seven Regional Championships, and two Sectional Championships, and had an epic two-year stretch from 2008 to 2010. In 2009, the Chargers won the Class 3A state championship with a 32-1 record. In 2010, the Chargers placed 4th in Class 3A with a 31-3 record. Last year, Lavin led the Chargers to their first Regional Championship in nine seasons with a 17-13 record. 

Champaign Centennial’s Past Results: Centennial opened up the season with a 2-7 record. Among familiar opponents, Champaign lost 56-41 to Mahomet-Seymour, 60-53 to Mount Zion, and defeated Rantoul 68-56. The team computed at the Christmas Classic, losing to Lincoln-Way East 53-44, but rattled off two wins over Newton (48-39) and Effingham (49-44). However, the team is currently riding a five-game losing streak with losses to Peoria Manual (50-36), Kankakee (55-33), Charleston (51-48), Peoria Richwoods (67-51), and Pontiac (70-57). 

Champaign Centennial Top Players: All-Big 12 Conference selection Trae Warren graduated from last year’s team, as did Second Team selection Jack Young Jr. The team’s current roster is not present online. 

Olney’s Team Stats:  The Chargers are averaging 48.1 points and allowing 54.5 points per game. 

Mattoon’s Past Results: Mattoon played one game last week. That was a road contest at Apollo contender Lincoln. The Railsplitters won the contest 57-37.  

Mattoon’s Team Stats:  Mattoon is averaging 48.0 points per game and allowing 58.0 points per game.