The IHSA Boys Basketball State Tournament: A Recap
Last week, our prep basketball coverage went into overdrive with our local broadcasts of the IHSA Boys Basketball State Finals Tournament. The excitement began with the 1A-2A Semifinal games on Thursday, March 9, and continued with the 3A-4A Semifinal games on Friday, March 10. Then, on Saturday, March 11, the remaining 8 teams traveled to Champaign, IL to compete in the State Championship games.
In the epic Class 1A Championship game, Gibault secured its first ever State Championship title over Scales Mound 65-45.
In Class 2A, Chicago’s DePaul College Prep was back and ready to finish the job after placing third in last year’s State Finals Tournament. After dominating Teutopolis 45-17 in the Semifinals, the only thing standing in the way of the Championship title was Bloomington Central Catholic. The rams did not hold back and came out on top with a final score of 65-41 against the Saints.
Both Simeon Academy and Metamora had been on everyone’s radar throughout the entirety of the Class 3A games. Simeon Academy, deemed a Chicago powerhouse, began their journey with an electric win over the Hillcrest Hawks 67-46 in the 3A Super-Sectionals. This game would set the tone for their IHSA Tournament. Metamora was no stranger to having the Championship title in arms reach after suffering a devastating loss in the 2022 3A State Championship in double overtime. This year, they were able to secure their two-year run in the Class 3A State Championships with a win over the Wolverines 46-42 in overtime. Although not the end they were hoping for, Simeon Academy played a remarkable tournament, the last for head coach Robert Smith who presided over his final game after 20 years.
Class 4A had a lot of Chicago representation right from the beginning with the 3 of the 4 teams competing in the Semifinal games being from the Chicagoland area. One, Benet Academy, advanced to the final Championship game against Moline. Unfortunately for the Redwings, their one-loss season would not hold up against Moline as they came up short in the Championship 59-42.
Congratulations to all of the IHSA Boys Basketball State Finals Champions! It was an incredible tournament full of intense game play, amazing shots, and supportive fans. Keep watching local high school sports coverage all year long - only on CW26 and The U!
