Ayrton Oneill
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 for all high schools in Illinois. In 1972, the tournament was divided into two divisions based on school size (A and AA). Since 2008, the tournament has been divided into four separate divisions (1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A). The Illinois High School Basketball Championship was the first tournament to be called March Madness. The 2024 Illinois Class 3A boys basketball championship was won by DePaul Prep, who defeated Mount Carmel. West Central won the Illinois Class 1A championship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1952 |
| Champion School | Alden-Hebron High School |
| Champion Team Nickname | Green Giants |
| Runner-up School | Quincy High School |
| Champion School Enrollment | 98 students |
| Runner-up School Enrollment | 44,000 students |
| Score | Not found |
| Location | University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign |
| Format | Single-elimination tournament |
| Number of Divisions | 1 |
| Notable Rules | None found |
| Notable Players | Phil Judson, Paul Judson, Bill Schulz, Ken Spooner, Don Wilbrandt |
| Champion School Coach | Russ Ahearn |
| Champion School Assistant Coach | Howie Judson |
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What You'll Learn
Alden-Hebron High School won in 1952
In 1952, Alden-Hebron High School won the Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship. With only 98 students enrolled, it was the smallest school to win the championship in the tournament's 45-year history.
The team, known as the Green Giants, wore green and white and were coached by Russ Ahearn, a former semi-pro baseball player. Ahearn was a strict disciplinarian who mandated a healthy diet and regimented exercise for his players. He also imposed rules such as "no dating, except on Saturday nights". The team's assistant coach was Howie Judson, a former Hebron High basketball player and Chicago White Sox pitcher.
The Green Giants played against Quincy High School, which had an enrollment of 1,035 students and hailed from a town of 44,000 people. The championship game was the first to be televised and was played at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Green Giants won 64-59 in overtime, with the starting lineup of Phil Judson, his twin brother Paul, Bill Schulz, Ken Spooner, and Don Wilbrandt playing the entire game.
The victory brought the state title to Alden-Hebron High School and put the small town of Hebron, with a population of 650, on the map. The town's water tower was painted to look like a basketball in commemoration of the team's achievement.
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Phillips Academy won in 2024
The Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship is a highly anticipated annual event, with the 2024 tournament being no exception. This single-elimination tournament is organised by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and sees passionate competition between the best high school basketball teams in the state.
Phillips Academy emerged as the champions of the 2024 Illinois High School Boys Basketball tournament, claiming their second state championship title and their first since 1975. It was a hard-fought victory, with the game going back and forth until Phillips Academy took control in the fourth quarter. Junior guards EJ Horton, Phoenix Childs, and Amari Edwards were the stars of the game, collectively accounting for 38 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and three steals. EJ Horton shone with 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Phoenix Childs also scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Amari Edwards added 12 points.
Phillips Academy's road to the championship was not easy, as they faced tough competition from other talented teams. Their opponents in the final, Benton, put up a strong fight, with Isaac Billington scoring 19 points and Evan Munoz contributing 11 points. Despite their efforts, Benton fell short, finishing as runners-up in their quest for their first state championship.
The 2024 tournament showcased the talent and determination of Illinois' high school basketball players, with Phillips Academy ultimately claiming the top spot and etching their name in the history books. This victory marked a memorable moment for the school and its basketball programme, solidifying their place among the state's elite teams.
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West Central won Class 1A in 2024
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 been running since 1908.
In 2024, West Central won the Illinois Class 1A championship. The Cougars' victory was led by Zack Evans, who scored 27 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists. Chance Little and Mason Berry also contributed significantly to the team's success, with Little scoring 19 points and eight rebounds, and Berry adding 13 points. West Central dominated the first half of the game, with Evans, Berry, and Little all putting up impressive numbers. Their strong performance continued into the second half, ultimately securing the championship title.
West Central's victory in the Illinois Class 1A championship demonstrates the hard work and dedication of the team and their coaches. It is a testament to the talent and skill of the players, who worked together to overcome their competitors. The Cougars' success will be remembered as a highlight of the 2024 Illinois High School Boys Basketball season, with their names etched into the tournament's history.
The Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship is a highly competitive and prestigious tournament, with a long history dating back over a century. The tournament has seen many format changes over the years, with the current system involving four separate divisions: 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A, based on school size. The tournament has produced countless memorable moments and has helped launch the careers of many notable basketball players.
The 2024 Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship was a thrilling event, with West Central's victory in Class 1A being one of the standout moments. Their triumph will forever be etched in the annals of Illinois high school basketball history, serving as a testament to the power of teamwork, dedication, and athletic excellence.
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DePaul Prep won Class 3A in 2024
DePaul Prep won the Illinois Class 3A boys basketball championship in 2024. The team, known as the Rams, faced Mount Carmel in the final, winning 49-41. This was an unprecedented victory, as the Rams became the first team in IHSA history to win consecutive championships in two different classes. They had previously won the Class 2A championship in 2023.
DePaul Prep got off to a strong start, scoring the first nine points of the game, with Makai Kvamme scoring eight of the team's first 15 points. The Rams led 15-7 after the first quarter and 24-12 at halftime, with Kvamme and Rob Walls scoring eight points each in the first two quarters. Northwestern recruit Angelo Ciaravino kept Mount Carmel in the game, scoring a game-high 24 points, but DePaul's trademark sticky defense held the rest of his teammates to seven points or fewer.
Makai Kvamme, who was also the starting point guard on the Rams' 2023 championship team, stepped up in the fourth quarter and overtimes to secure the win. DePaul Prep's victory over Mount Carmel capped off an impressive season, which included winning the prestigious Pontiac Holiday Tournament and the Catholic League conference title.
DePaul Prep's success continued into 2025, when they won the Class 3A state championship for the third consecutive year, becoming the first team to achieve this feat since 1989. Makai Kvamme, now a senior, once again played a pivotal role in the team's success, stepping up in the fourth quarter and overtimes to lead his team to victory.
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Tournament format and rules
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 follows a four-class system, with teams assigned to a class based on student population, including adjustments for single-gender schools and those that are not four-year high schools.
From 1908 to 1971, the tournament was a single competition involving nearly all high schools in Illinois. In 1972, it was divided into two divisions, A and AA, based on school size, with separate champions for each division. This format remained in place until 2008, when the tournament was further divided into four separate divisions: 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A, with 4A representing the larger schools.
Each class in the state tournament is composed of four super-sectional winners. These winners are randomly assigned to play each other in the semifinal round. The winners of the semifinals then advance to the state championship match, while the losers compete for third place. The state semifinals typically occur on a Friday, followed by the championship and third-place games on Saturday. Classes 1A and 2A share one weekend, while 3A and 4A compete the following weekend.
In addition to the main tournament, the IHSA also introduced "The Happening" in 1992, which includes a three-point contest and a slam dunk contest. These events are held on the Thursday evening before the respective class' state semifinals. Each class crowns a champion in each contest on the Saturday of their state championship game. Once the 3A and 4A champions are determined, there is a final "King of the Hill" contest among the four class champions to crown the overall winner.
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Frequently asked questions
DePaul Prep won the 2024 Illinois Class 3A boys basketball championship.
The Illinois High School Basketball Championship was the first tournament to be called "March Madness".
Under the current four-class system, teams are assigned to a class based on student population, with adjustments made for single-gender schools and schools that are not four-year high schools.
Starting in 2004, the first weekend of the State Championship Tournament also hosted the state high school championship for wheelchair basketball.
In 2006, the IHSA announced that Hales Franciscan would forfeit all athletic contests played between June 2003 and December 2005, including its 2005 State Championship, due to a lack of recognition from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
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