Basketball Game Preview: The Noble Academy Griffins vs. UIC College Prep Firecats

After both having extra time off, The Noble Academy Griffins and the UIC College Prep Firecats will dust off their jerseys to face off against one another at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, the two teams will really light up the scoreboard.

UIC College Prep is hoping to do what Muchin College Prep couldn't back in December of 2024: put an end to The Noble Academy's winning streak, which now stands at three games. The Noble Academy blew past Muchin College Prep 66-31. The score at the end of the third wound up being the final score as the Griffins just coasted through the last quarter.

The Noble Academy relied on the efforts of Jerry Blue, who posted 26 points and five rebounds, and Jeremiah Frost, who put up 25 points. Another player making a difference was Derrick Smith, who earned five points.

Meanwhile, UIC College Prep had to endure a three-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They wrapped up 2024 with a 59-43 win over Clemente. Considering the Firecats' offense had been struggling lately, the high-scoring outing was a much-needed turnaround.

The Noble Academy better keep an eye on James Hodrick. He was instrumental in UIC College Prep's win, going 9 of 12 on his way to 22 points and three steals. Those 22 points gave Hodrick a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Andre Boone Jr, who went 7 of 10 on his way to 14 points.

The Noble Academy's victory bumped their record up to 3-0. As for UIC College Prep, their win bumped their record up to 11-6.

The Noble Academy and UIC College Prep were neck-and-neck in their previous meeting back in February of 2023, but The Noble Academy came up empty-handed after a 53-52 loss. Can The Noble Academy avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.