Basketball Game Preview: Arlington Christian vs. Utopian Academy for the Arts

Arlington Christian will take on Utopian Academy for the Arts in a holiday battle at at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (Arlington Christian has 11 straight wins, Utopian Academy for the Arts has 12 straight defeats), but none of that matters once you're on the court.

Last Wednesday, Arlington Christian earned a 56-45 victory over W D Mohammed.

Chezi Essel and Tylon Adams were among the main playmakers for Arlington Christian as the former dropped a double-double on 18 points and 13 boards and the latter went 8 of 14 on his way to 19 points along with six assists and five steals. Essel is also crushing it when it comes to steals: he's grabbed at least three every time he's taken the court this season. Legend Jenkins was another key player, putting up two points and four steals.

Meanwhile, Utopian Academy for the Arts played a tough contest on Friday in which they were outscored in every quarter. They were dealt an 80-26 loss at the hands of Hapeville Charter. The matchup marked Utopian Academy for the Arts' lowest-scoring game so far this season.

Arlington Christian pushed their record up to 10-0 with the win, which was their fifth straight at home. As for Utopian Academy for the Arts, their defeat dropped their record down to 0-10.

Arlington Christian took their victory against Utopian Academy for the Arts in their previous meeting back in November by a conclusive 76-55. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Utopian Academy for the Arts' Jamari Dubose, who went 5 of 8 on his way to 14 points along with seven boards and four blocks. Now that he's got a second chance to win this matchup, will Arlington Christian still be able to contain Dubose? There's only one way to find out.