Helena Frye
Illinois High School Basketball is divided into four classes: 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A, with 1A and 2A being the smaller schools and 3A and 4A being the larger schools. This four-class system was introduced in 2008, with teams assigned to a class based on student population, and adjustments made for single-gender schools and schools that are not four-year high schools. Previously, from 1972 to 2007, there were only two divisions, A and AA, based on school size, with each division producing its own champion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Classes | 4 (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A) |
| Class Assignment Criteria | Student population, with adjustments for single-gender schools and schools that are not four-year high schools |
| Geographical Organization | Schools are assigned to a region within their class, which is then assigned to a sectional and finally a super-sectional |
| Number of Super-Sectional Games per Class | 4 |
| Number of Sectionals per Class | 8 |
| Number of Regionals per Sectional | 4 |
| Number of Regional Tournaments per Class | 32 |
| Previous Number of Classes | 2 (A and AA) |
| Number of Super-Sectional Games in the Two-Class System | 8 |
| Number of Sectionals in the Two-Class System | 16 |
| Number of Regionals in the Two-Class System | 64 |
| Years of the Two-Class System | 1972-2007 |
| Original Number of Classes | 1 |
| Years of the Original Single-Class System | 1908-1971 |
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What You'll Learn
Illinois High School Basketball Championships: a single-elimination tournament
The Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held annually in the spring in the United States. From 1908 to 1971, it was a single tournament that included nearly all high schools in Illinois. However, in 1972, the tournament was divided into two divisions, Class A and Class AA, based on school size, with each division crowning its own champion. The format of the tournament remained largely unchanged for the next few decades.
In 2008, the tournament underwent another change, this time being divided into four separate divisions: 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A, with the larger schools falling into the higher divisions. This four-class system remains in place today, with teams assigned to a class based on student population, making adjustments for single-gender schools and schools that are not four-year high schools. The IHSA Girls Basketball tournament is organized in the same way as the boys' tournament, except it begins two weeks earlier.
The Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship has a rich history, being the first tournament to be called "March Madness" in 1939, long before the term was associated with the NCAA basketball tournament. The tournament has also included a three-point contest and a slam dunk contest, collectively called "The Happening," since 1992. The state-level contests are held on the Thursday evening before the respective class' state semifinals, with each class crowning a champion in each contest on the Saturday of their state championship game.
In addition to the main tournament, the first weekend of the State Championship Tournament also hosts the state high school championship for wheelchair basketball, which is a round-robin tournament open to teams of high school students, regardless of school affiliation. The Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship continues to be a highly anticipated event, with teams from across the state vying for the chance to become state champions in their respective divisions.
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Tournament divisions: based on school size
The Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship has undergone several changes over the years, with the tournament divisions being adjusted based on school size. From 1908 to 1971, nearly all high schools in Illinois competed in a single tournament. However, in 1972, a significant change was made, and the tournament was divided into two divisions: Class A and Class AA, with each division producing its own champion. This change took into account the varying sizes of schools, ensuring a more balanced competition.
During the Class A and Class AA era, the tournament was organised in a way that allowed for separate weekends of play for each class. The winners of each class's tournament would then advance to the semifinals, with the losers playing for third place and the winners competing for the state championship. This format provided a structured pathway for schools of different sizes to compete within their respective divisions.
In 2008, the tournament underwent another transformation, introducing four separate divisions: 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A, with 4A representing the larger schools. This expansion from two divisions to four further refined the competition, creating more opportunities for schools of varying sizes to participate. The four-class system remains in place today, with teams assigned to a class based on student population, making adjustments for single-gender schools and those that are not four-year high schools.
Within each class, schools are geographically assigned to a regional group, which is then further divided into sectionals and super-sectionals. This hierarchical structure ensures that teams first compete against schools in their local area before advancing to broader geographic competitions. The regional tournaments serve as a critical stage, with winners advancing to the sectional tournaments, where they face off against other regional champions. The sectional champions then progress to the super-sectionals, narrowing down the competition and building excitement as the tournament progresses.
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Illinois tournament history: 'March Madness'
Illinois has a rich history in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, also known as March Madness. The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team, representing the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has made 35 appearances in the tournament, showcasing their skill and determination on the national stage.
One of their most memorable runs was in 1981 when they returned to the spotlight with a 21-8 record and a third-place finish in the Big Ten. They received an invitation to the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the regionals in Salt Lake City after a thrilling win over Wyoming. Although they fell to Kansas State in a close contest, this season marked a turning point for the Fighting Illini, as they established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the tournament.
Another notable moment in Illinois' March Madness history came in 2005 when they defeated the Arizona Wildcats in the Chicago Regional Final. The game, which took place on March 26, 2005, at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois, was a testament to the team's resilience and talent. The Fighting Illini, led by Luther Head and Dee Brown, celebrated a hard-fought 90-89 overtime victory, solidifying their place in the hearts of their devoted fan base.
The Fighting Illini have also experienced success in the years leading up to their March Madness appearances. In the 2003-04 season, under the leadership of coach Weber, the team won their first outright Big Ten title in 52 years. This achievement set the tone for their subsequent NCAA Tournament run, where they advanced to the Sweet 16 with victories over Murray State and Cincinnati. Weber's impact on the program cannot be overstated, as he guided a young team to success on a road that included six straight wins.
Illinois' March Madness history is filled with both triumphs and setbacks. The team has appeared in 5 Final Fours and 10 Elite Eights, showcasing their consistent presence in the latter stages of the tournament. With a passionate fan base and a history of strong performances, the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team continues to be a prominent force in college basketball, leaving their mark on the sport with each passing season.
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Class system: teams assigned by student population
The Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship has a rich history dating back to 1908, when it began as a single tournament for all high schools in the state. This format remained in place until 1971. The following year, a significant change was introduced, dividing the tournament into two divisions: Class A and Class AA, based on the size of the schools. This format lasted until 2007.
In 2008, the tournament underwent another transformation, expanding to four separate divisions: 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A, with the larger schools falling into the higher-numbered classes. This four-class system remains in place today and is based primarily on student population, with adjustments made for single-gender schools and those that are not traditional four-year high schools.
Within this structure, each class is organised into a specific framework. There are four super-sectional winners in each class, who then advance to the state tournament. These super-sectional winners are randomly drawn to compete against each other in the semifinal round. The winners of these semifinals then progress to the state championship match, held the following evening. Meanwhile, the losing teams from the semifinals play against each other for third place, which also takes place the day after the semifinals. Typically, the state semifinals occur on Fridays, followed by the championship and third-place matches on Saturdays.
The timing of the tournaments for the different classes is staggered. Classes 1A and 2A share one weekend, while Classes 3A and 4A compete during the subsequent weekend. This arrangement ensures that each class has its own dedicated weekend to showcase their talents and determine their champions.
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Illinois Girls Basketball tournament: organised the same way as boys'
Illinois high school basketball tournaments are organised into several classes, with the same structure applied to both boys' and girls' competitions. The state's basketball tournaments are organised by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and include various divisions and conferences.
For example, the IHSA Class 2A includes schools like Althoff Catholic and Teutopolis, who have faced off in the Super-Sectionals. There is also an IHSA 3A division, which includes schools like Glenwood and Mt. Zion, who have competed in the Sectional Finals. The IHSA 4A division includes schools like Quincy and Alton, who have faced off in the Sectional Semifinals.
The state also hosts an annual Illinois Middle School Basketball Championship, which serves as a qualifier tournament for the state championship. This tournament is open to both boys' and girls' teams and features two divisions: Club and School/Feeder. The School/Feeder division serves as a direct pathway to the state championship for feeder schools.
While the specific number of classes was not directly mentioned, the boys' basketball rankings for the 2024-25 season included Class 1A, Class 2A, Class 3A, and Class 4A. It is reasonable to assume that the girls' basketball tournament is organised in the same way, with rankings and divisions structured similarly across all classes.
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Frequently asked questions
There are four classes in Illinois high school basketball: 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A, with 4A being the largest schools.
The tournament was divided into four classes in 2008. From 1972 to 2007, it was divided into two classes: A and AA.
The classes are based on student population, with adjustments made for single-gender schools and schools that are not four-year high schools.
The state semifinals are generally held on Fridays, with Classes 1A and 2A sharing one weekend and Classes 3A and 4A competing the following weekend. The championship and third-place games are typically held on Saturdays.
