Amanda Knapp
The Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held annually in the spring in the United States. The tournament was first played in 1908 and has been held every year since, with the exception of 2020 when it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From 1996 to 2019, the tournament was held at Bradley University's Carver Arena in Peoria, Illinois. Peoria YMCA Clippers player Lynch Conway led Peoria (Central) to a first-place finish in the inaugural tournament in 1908.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tournament name | Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship |
| Tournament organiser | Illinois High School Association (IHSA) |
| Tournament format | Single elimination tournament |
| Tournament divisions | Four separate divisions (1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A being the larger schools) |
| Tournament venue (1908-1971) | Various (all high schools in Illinois) |
| Tournament venue (1972-1995) | University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (UIUC) |
| Tournament venue (1996-2019) | Bradley University's Carver Arena in Peoria |
| Tournament venue (2020) | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| Tournament venue (2020-) | UIUC's State Farm Center |
| Tournament duration | Two weeks for girls, followed by boys' tournament |
| Associated events | March Madness Experience, The Happening |
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What You'll Learn
The Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship
The tournament was originally held with the permission of the IHSA, but after one year, the Association took over its organization. For 77 years, the tournament was played at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). In 1996, it moved to Bradley University's Carver Arena in Peoria, where it remained until 2019. Since 1996, the IHSA has also set up an interactive event at the Peoria Civic Center called the March Madness Experience, which takes place at the beginning of the regional tournaments.
Starting in 2004, the first weekend of the State Championship Tournament has also hosted the state high school wheelchair basketball championship. This tournament is a round-robin format and is composed of teams of high school students, who may or may not be affiliated with a particular school.
The IHSA Girls Basketball Tournament is organized in the same way as the boys' tournament, except it begins two weeks earlier. The IHSA celebrated 100 years of the IHSA State Tournament in the 2006-07 season.
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Peoria: Home of the first-ever state playoffs in 1908
Peoria, Illinois, is known for hosting the Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship, organized by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). The tournament has a long history in the city, with Peoria playing a significant role in its tradition and development. In fact, Peoria holds the distinction of being the home of the first-ever state playoffs, which took place in 1908.
From its early beginnings, the Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship has been a highly anticipated event. The tournament was initially a single competition, with nearly all high schools in Illinois participating. This format remained in place from 1908 to 1971, fostering a strong sense of competition and school spirit. Over time, the tournament evolved, and starting in 1996, the IHSA introduced an interactive event called the March Madness Experience, held at the Peoria Civic Center alongside the basketball games.
The tournament has not only showcased the talents of young male athletes but also promoted gender equality in sports. The IHSA Girls Basketball Tournament is organized in the same way as the boys' tournament, with the girls' competition commencing two weeks earlier. For many years, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) hosted the girls' tournament, but it later moved to Peoria, further solidifying the city's association with high school basketball championships.
Peoria's Carver Arena, located at Bradley University, became the new home for the IHSA Girls Basketball Tournament in 1996. This venue change brought both the boys' and girls' tournaments under the same roof, creating a centralized location for the exciting competitions. The Peoria Civic Center, another prominent venue in the city, has also played a role in hosting IHSA events, contributing to Peoria's reputation as a hub for high school basketball excellence.
Beyond the basketball courts, Peoria's connection to the state playoffs extends to its advertising and popular culture. The phrase "Playing in Peoria" has become synonymous with the state championship, with the IHSA incorporating it into their promotional campaigns. Peoria's rich basketball history and its role in hosting the first-ever state playoffs in 1908 have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the state and the sport itself. The city continues to be a pivotal venue for Illinois high school basketball, attracting athletes, fans, and enthusiasts alike.
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The IHSA Girls Basketball Tournament
The Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held annually in the spring in the United States. It is organised by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). The IHSA Girls Basketball Tournament is organised in the same way as the boys' tournament, except that it begins two weeks earlier.
Since 1996, the IHSA has also set up an interactive event at the Peoria Civic Center called the March Madness Experience, which takes place at the beginning of the regional tournaments. The three-point contest is one of the events that occur at the start of the regional tournaments. Each team may select up to four players to compete, with four players advancing to the next level. As teams advance through regional and sectional competitions, winning individuals advance regardless of their team's overall success.
Starting in 2004, the first weekend of the State Championship Tournament also hosted the state high school championship for wheelchair basketball. The tournament is a round-robin format and is composed of teams of high school students, who may or may not be affiliated with a particular school. In the 2006-07 season, the IHSA celebrated 100 years of the IHSA State Tournament.
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The March Madness Experience
The Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States. It has been organised by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) since 1908.
Since 1996, alongside the on-court activities, the IHSA has put on an interactive event at the Peoria Civic Center called the March Madness Experience. The tournament was played at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for 77 years before moving to Bradley University's Carver Arena in Peoria from 1996 to 2019.
The Experience is designed to be engaging and entertaining for all ages, with activities tailored for both children and adults. It is an opportunity for the local community and visitors alike to come together and celebrate their love of basketball. There is often a strong focus on fan interaction, with opportunities to meet and greet players and coaches, get autographs, and take part in Q&A sessions.
In addition to the interactive activities, the March Madness Experience also offers a chance to learn about the history and tradition of the tournament. There are usually displays and exhibits that showcase the evolution of the tournament over the years, with photos, videos, and artefacts on show. Visitors can learn about the notable players and teams that have participated, as well as the impact the tournament has had on the sport and the local community.
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The Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament
The Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States. It is organised by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). The tournament was first held in 1908 and was, until 1971, a single tournament contested by nearly all high schools in Illinois.
In 1972, the tournament was divided into two divisions based on school size, A and AA, with separate champions. In 2008, the tournament was further divided into four separate divisions (1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A being the larger schools). The Illinois High School Basketball Championship was the first tournament to be called 'March Madness', with the term first used about the Illinois tournament in 1939.
In 1992, the IHSA added a three-point contest and a slam dunk contest (collectively called "The Happening") to coincide with the boys' basketball state series. The three-point contest starts at the beginning of the regional tournaments, with each team selecting up to four players to compete. As teams advance through regional and sectional tournaments, the winning individuals advance, regardless of their team's success.
The IHSA celebrated 100 years of the IHSA State Tournament in the 2006-07 season. A list of "100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament" was assembled, with several living members making appearances at select games across the state. Notable members of the "Legends" team included Kenny Battle, Lou Boudreau, Jim Brewer, Quinn Buckner, Landon "Sonny" Cox, Bruce Douglas, Dwight "Dike" Eddleman, LaPhonso Ellis, Melvin Ely, and Michael Finley.
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Frequently asked questions
The IHSA Boys Basketball Championship tournament started in 1908, and was played at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (UIUC) until 1996 when it moved to Bradley University's Carver Arena in Peoria. The IHSA Girls Basketball tournament is organized in the same way, but starts two weeks earlier than the boys' tournament.
The IHSA basketball tournament is a single-elimination tournament held each spring. From 1908 to 1971, it was a single tournament with nearly all high schools in Illinois participating. In 1972, the tournament was divided into two divisions (A and AA) based on school size, and in 2008, it was further divided into four separate divisions (1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A being the larger schools).
Since 1996, the IHSA has set up an interactive event called the March Madness Experience at the Peoria Civic Center during the State Championship Tournament. It includes interactive games and skill challenges for fans to participate in, as well as big-screen televisions to watch the games.
