Ayrton Oneill
The Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held annually in the spring in the United States. The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) organizes the tournament, which was first known as March Madness in 1939. The tournament has evolved over the years, with the format changing from a single tournament to multiple divisions based on school size. The most recent champions in 2024 were DePaul Prep in Class 3A and West Central in Class 1A, with Phillips Academy also winning its second state championship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tournament Name | Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship |
| Year | 2024 |
| Tournament Type | Single elimination |
| Tournament Organizer | Illinois High School Association (IHSA) |
| Number of Divisions | 4 (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A) |
| Class 1A Champion | West Central |
| Class 3A Champion | DePaul Prep |
| Class Champion | Phillips Academy |
| Tournament Location | Bradley University's Carver Arena in Peoria |
| Tournament Duration | Spring |
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What You'll Learn
Tournament format and history
The Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held annually in the spring in the United States. The tournament is organised by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and has a long history dating back to 1908.
From its inception in 1908 until 1971, the tournament was a single competition open to nearly all high schools in Illinois. However, in 1972, a significant change was made, and the tournament was divided into two divisions, A and AA, based on school size, with each division crowning its own champion. This format remained in place until 2008, when the tournament underwent further expansion into four separate divisions: 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A, with the larger schools falling into the higher divisions. The current four-class system assigns teams to a division based on student population, with adjustments made for single-gender schools and those that are not four-year high schools.
The state tournament in each class features the four super-sectional winners, who are randomly drawn to compete against each other in the semifinal round. The winners of the semifinals then advance to the state championship match, while the losers play for third place. The state semifinals are typically held on Fridays, with the championship and third-place games taking place on Saturdays. Classes 1A and 2A share one weekend, while 3A and 4A compete the following weekend.
The Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship has a rich history and is even credited with coining the term "March Madness" to describe the excitement and intensity of the tournament. In the 2006-07 season, the IHSA celebrated 100 years of the state tournament, honouring a list of "100 Legends" of the boys' basketball tournament. Notable members of this team included Kenny Battle, Lou Boudreau, and Isiah Thomas, among many other basketball greats.
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2024 Illinois Class 1A winners
The Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship is a highly anticipated annual tournament that crowns champions across four classes: 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A. The 2024 Illinois Class 1A championship game featured a thrilling matchup between West Central and Meridian, with West Central ultimately claiming the title.
West Central's road to the championship game was not an easy one, as they faced tough competition throughout the tournament. In the semifinal round, they faced Aurora Christian, a formidable opponent. The game went into double overtime, with West Central rallying to secure the victory and earn their spot in the championship game.
The 2024 Illinois Class 1A championship game itself was a showcase of talent and determination. West Central, led by the outstanding performance of Zack Evans, dominated the first half. Evans, who finished the game with an impressive double-double, contributed 12 points and nine rebounds in the first half alone. His teammates, Chance Little and Mason Berry, also stepped up, with Little adding nine points and Berry scoring 10 points in the first half. West Central's offensive prowess and tight defense gave them a comfortable lead going into halftime.
Meridian, however, did not go down without a fight. Despite a slow start, they picked up their pace in the second half. Their shooting accuracy improved, and they began to close the gap. Meridian's top performer, Antonio Flenoid Jr., led the team with 13 points overall. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to overcome West Central's early lead.
When the final buzzer sounded, West Central emerged victorious, claiming the 2024 Illinois Class 1A championship title. The Cougars' impressive season record of 35-3 speaks to their hard work and dedication throughout the tournament. This victory marked a memorable moment for the West Central basketball program and left their fans celebrating a well-deserved championship win.
The Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship continues to showcase the incredible talent and competitive spirit of high school athletes across the state. The 2024 tournament, particularly the Class 1A competition, demonstrated the passion and skill that make this championship one of the most exciting high school sporting events in Illinois.
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2024 Illinois Class 3A winners
The 2024 Illinois Class 3A boys basketball championship was won by DePaul Prep, who defeated Mount Carmel. The road to the championship game saw DePaul Prep beat Richwoods in the semifinals, while Mount Carmel overcame Mt. Zion with a strong second-half performance to secure their spot in the final.
DePaul Prep's victory in the 2024 Illinois Class 3A championship adds to the school's basketball success. The school's basketball program has produced several notable players over the years, with a reputation for developing talented athletes.
The Illinois High School Basketball Championship, often referred to as "March Madness", holds a special place in the state's sports culture. The tournament has a rich history, dating back to 1908 when it was a single tournament open to nearly all high schools in Illinois. Over time, the tournament evolved, and since 2008, it has been divided into four separate divisions: 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A, with the larger schools falling into the higher-numbered divisions.
The Class 3A division in the Illinois High School Basketball Championship is highly competitive, featuring some of the state's top basketball talents. The road to the championship involves a rigorous tournament structure, with teams battling through regional, sectional, and super-sectional rounds before reaching the state semifinals and, ultimately, the championship game.
The 2024 Illinois Class 3A boys basketball championship was a showcase of skill, determination, and school pride. DePaul Prep's victory will be remembered as a testament to their hard work and dedication, with their names etched into the history of Illinois high school basketball.
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2006-07 season celebrations
The 2006-07 season was a special one for the Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship, as it marked the 100th anniversary of the IHSA State Tournament. To commemorate this milestone, the IHSA assembled a list of "100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament." This list included notable alumni such as Kenny Battle, Lou Boudreau, Jim Brewer, and Isiah Thomas. These living legends made special appearances at select games across the state, signing a "Ball of Fame" that was later raffled off at the state tournament. The celebrations also included commemorative books and videos, providing a trip down memory lane for fans and players alike.
The 2006-07 season also witnessed the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team continue their winning ways. Under the guidance of coach Bruce Weber, the team built upon their success from the previous season. Led by a talented group of players, the Fighting Illini achieved a runner-up finish in the Big Ten and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Their impressive performance solidified their ranking among the top 17 teams in the nation throughout the season.
During this period, the Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship underwent a transformation. Up until 2008, the tournament was divided into two divisions, Class A and Class AA, based on school size. Each division crowned its own champion. However, starting with the 2008 season, the tournament expanded to four separate divisions: 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A, with the larger schools falling into the higher divisions. This change ensured a more balanced competition among schools of similar sizes.
The IHSA Girls Basketball tournament was organized in the same manner as the boys' tournament, with a slight time difference. The girls' tournament commenced two weeks ahead of the boys, ensuring that both tournaments received their fair share of attention and prominence. The dedication to providing equal opportunities for both genders extended beyond the basketball court, with adjustments made for single-gender schools in the class assignments.
The 2006-07 season also served as a reminder of the importance of adhering to rules and regulations. Hales Franciscan's basketball team encountered setbacks due to violations. In 2004, they were removed from the IHSA state series due to recruiting violations. Subsequently, in 2005, their membership was suspended as their recognition by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) had lapsed. As a consequence, Hales Franciscan forfeited all athletic contests played between June 2003 and December 2005, including the 2005 State Championship.
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Tournament location
The Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship tournament has been held in several locations over the years. From its inception in 1908 until 1995, the tournament was hosted at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (UIUC). In 1996, the tournament moved to Bradley University's Carver Arena in Peoria, where it remained until 2019.
The tournament has also been referred to as "March Madness," a term first used in association with the Illinois tournament in 1939. The Illinois High School Girls Basketball tournament is organized in the same way as the boys' tournament but begins two weeks earlier.
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 includes teams of high school students, who may not necessarily be affiliated with a particular school.
In 2024, the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois, hosted the final day of the Illinois boys basketball season, known as Championship Saturday, where four state champions were crowned. DePaul Prep defeated Mount Carmel to win the 2024 Illinois Class 3A boys basketball championship.
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Frequently asked questions
There are four divisions: 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A, with 4A being the largest schools.
In 1972, the tournament was divided into two divisions based on school size: A and AA.
The term "March Madness" was first used in 1939 to describe the Illinois tournament, long before it was used for the NCAA basketball tournament.
The tournament moved to Bradley University's Carver Arena in Peoria in 1996 and stayed there until 2019. Prior to that, it was held at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (UIUC) for 77 years.
Some notable members include Kenny Battle, Lou Boudreau, Jim Brewer, Quinn Buckner, and Landon "Sonny" Cox.
