| Illinois Elementary School Association to Crown Four Girls Basketball Champions in 8th Grade State Series
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December 12, 2024
The Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) is excited to announce the commencement of the 8th-grade girls basketball state series, featuring four vibrant tournaments in Class 1A, Class 2A, Class 3A, and Class 4A. The competitions will take place on Saturday, December 14 and through Thursday, December 19, with games being held at four designated sites across the state. This marks the 18th year of IESAs four-class girls basketball championships.
Tournament Locations:
- Class 1A: Clinton Junior High School
- Class 2A: Havana High School
- Class 3A: Germantown Hills Middle School
- Class 4A: Parkside Junior High School in Normal
Fans are encouraged to attend the games to support their teams and celebrate the achievements of all participating athletes. Digital tickets can be purchased online through GoFan for $8.00 per attendee per day. Fans attending the games on Saturday will receive a wristband for entry, valid only at the designated state final site. Fans can access the IESA GoFan page at the following link: https://www.iesa.org/gofan/ For those unable to use GoFan, cash tickets will be available on-site for $10.00. Children younger than kindergarten are admitted free throughout the tournament.
Tournament Schedule:
- Quarterfinals: Saturday, December 14
- First game starts at 10:00 a.m.
- Semifinals: Saturday afternoon, December 14
- First game begins at 5:00 p.m.
- Championship: Thursday, December 19
- Third Place Game: 6:00 p.m.
- Championship Game: 7:30 p.m.
Updates regarding tournament status, including weather-related changes, will be posted on the IESA website at www.iesa.org. Game results will also be available online following each game.
These tournaments not only showcase the talent of our young athletes but also emphasize the spirit of teamwork and dedication that these girls exhibit, said IESA Associate Executive Director, Chris Frasco. We encourage all families and friends to come out, support the players, and enjoy the tournament experience.
This year marks the 45th year of IESA girls basketball state series, a significant milestone since its inception in 1979. Initially managed under a one-class system until 1985, the format has evolved to the current four-class system introduced in 2006, resulting in a total of eight champions- four each for 7th and 8th grades.
Complete pairings for each state final, along with the tournament information in the FanZone, can be found by visiting www.iesa.org.
Join us in celebrating the talent and dedication of our young athletes as they compete for the state titles!
Here is a look at each of the four 2024 Eighth Grade State Final Tournaments:
Class 1A @ Clinton Junior High School
Saturday, December 14
Game 1 10:00 a.m. Peoria Limestone Walters (16-8) vs LaSalle Trinity Catholic (16-6)
Game 2 11:30 a.m. Carrollton St. John (19-5) vs Cissna Park (21-2)
Game 3 1:00 p.m. Lincoln West Lincoln-Broadwell (28-0) vs Champaign St. Matthew (19-5)
Game 4 2:30 p.m. Washington St. Patrick (24-0) vs Nauvoo-Colusa (21-0)
Game 5 5:00 p.m. Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
Game 6 6:30 p.m. Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4
Thursday, December 19
Game 7 6:00 p.m. Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6 (Third Place)
Game 8 7:30 p.m. Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6 (Championship)
**Returning from the 2023 8th Grade State Finals: Carrollton St. John (2023 Third Place), Washington St. Patrick (2023 Champion).
Class 2A @ Havana High School
Saturday, December 14
Game 1 10:00 a.m. Glasford Illini Bluffs (14-6) vs Bourbonnais St. George (17-3)
Game 2 11:30 a.m. Kinmundy South Central (14-9) vs Bloomington Corpus Christi (16-5)
Game 3 1:00 p.m. Carthage (19-5) vs Villa Grove (19-1)
Game 4 2:30 p.m. McNabb Putnam County (23-2) vs Bluffs (24-1)
Game 5 5:00 p.m. Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
Game 6 6:30 p.m. Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4
Thursday, December 19
Game 7 6:00 p.m. Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6 (Third Place)
Game 8 7:30 p.m. Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6 (Championship)
**Returning from the 2023 8th Grade State Finals: All new to the tournament.
Class 3A @ Germantown Hills Middle School
Saturday, December 14
Game 1 10:00 a.m. Willowbrook Westview Hills (16-0) vs Eureka (19-2)
Game 2 11:30 a.m. Williamsville (21-3) vs Staunton (16-6)
Game 3 1:00 p.m. Peotone (25-1) vs Washington Central (16-8)
Game 4 2:30 p.m. Paris Mayo (23-0) vs LaGrange Highlands (11-2)
Game 5 5:00 p.m. Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
Game 6 6:30 p.m. Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4
Thursday, December 19
Game 7 6:00 p.m. Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6 (Third Place)
Game 8 7:30 p.m. Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6 (Championship)
**Returning from the 2023 8th Grade State Finals: All new teams to the tournament.
Class 4A @ Parkside Junior High School in Normal
Saturday, December 2
Game 1 10:00 a.m. Normal Parkside (24-0) vs Edwardsville Lincoln (24-2)
Game 2 11:30 a.m. University Park Crete Monee (18-6) vs Bolingbrook Jane Addams (21-0)
Game 3 1:00 p.m. Homewood Hart (15-8) vs Barrington Prairie (18-2)
Game 4 2:30 p.m. New Lenox Liberty (21-3) vs Springfield Washington (14-2)
Game 5 5:00 p.m. Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
Game 6 6:30 p.m. Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4
Thursday, December 7
Game 7 6:00 p.m. Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6 (Third Place)
Game 8 7:30 p.m. Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6 (Championship)
**Returning from the 2023 8th Grade State Finals: New Lenox Liberty, Bolingbrook Jane Addams (2023 Third Place).
For further information, press inquiries, or to schedule interviews, please contact Chris Frasco at the IESA office at 309-829-0114 or chris@iesa.org.
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