| 2025 IESA Eighth Grade Boys Basketball State Finals Preview
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The excitement is building as the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) prepares for the 2025 8th Grade Boys Basketball State Championships. This prestigious event kicks off on Saturday, February 15, marking the 95th year of crowning state champions in junior high athletics—an enduring tradition that highlights the dedication and talent of young athletes across Illinois.
This year’s tournament will feature competition across four classifications: Class 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A, with the games taking place at four designated sites throughout the state. After an intense weekend of quarterfinals and semifinals, the championships will culminate on Thursday, February 20, when the top teams battle it out for the coveted title.
Tournament Locations:
- **Class 1A:** Warrensburg-Latham High School
- **Class 2A:** Kankakee Bishop McNamara High School
- **Class 3A:** Tolono (Unity) High School
- **Class 4A:** Taylorville High School
With the quarterfinal games starting at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, fans can expect thrilling matchups each step of the way. Each class will follow the same schedule with semifinal games kicking off at 5:00 p.m. that evening. The action continues on February 20, with the third-place games scheduled for 6:00 p.m. and the championship showdowns at 7:30 p.m.
Matchups to Watch:
Class 1A at Warrensburg-Latham HS:
- The opening game features St. Anne (19-7) taking on undefeated Cambridge JHS (20-0), setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting day of basketball.
Game 1 10:00 a.m. St. Anne (19-7) vs Cambridge JHS (20-0)
Game 2 11:30 a.m. Peoria St. Jude (25-2) vs Danville Schlarman (13-6)
Game 3 1:00 p.m. Sigel St. Michael’s (23-1) vs Augusta Southeastern (19-6)
Game 4 2:30 p.m. Ransom (24-2) vs Lincoln West Lincoln-Broadwell (24-3)
Class 2A at Kankakee Bishop McNamara HS:
- All eyes will be on the game between Ogelsby Washington (24-1) and Peoria Heights GS (24-0), where both teams will look to advance past a competitive field.
Game 1 10:00 a.m. Winchester (20-3) vs Camp Point Central (21-3)
Game 2 11:30 a.m. Green Valley Midwest Central (23-4) vs Milford (20-3)
Game 3 1:00 p.m. Burr Ridge MS (15-3) vs Effingham St. Anthony (23-3)
Game 4 2:30 p.m. Oglesby Washington (24-1) vs Peoria Heights GS (24-0)
**Class 3A at Tolono (Unity) HS:**
- The matchup between Bradley Central (26-0) and East St. Louis Lincoln (20-3) is anticipated, especially as Bradley Central aims to maintain its impressive record.
Game 1 10:00 a.m. Williamsville (21-6) vs Calumet City Schrum (26-1)
Game 2 11:30 a.m. Bradley Central (26-0) vs East St. Louis Lincoln (20-3)
Game 3 1:00 p.m. Downs Tri-Valley (23-3) vs Germantown Hills (21-5)
Game 4 2:30 p.m. La Grange Highlands (22-4) vs Teutopolis (21-6)
**Class 4A at Taylorville HS:**
- A highlight game includes Minooka (24-2) going head-to-head with Bloomington JHS (26-1), promising to deliver edge-of-your-seat action.
Game 1 10:00 a.m. Minooka (24-2) vs Bloomington JHS (26-1)
Game 2 11:30 a.m. Park Forest Michelle Obama (25-3) vs Champaign Edison (23-2)
Game 3 1:00 p.m. Rockford Eisenhower (25-0) vs Homer Glen Homer (18-6)
Game 4 2:30 p.m. Quincy (23-1) vs O’Fallon Carriel (24-3)
**Tickets and Admission:**
Fans can purchase digital tickets for $8.00 through GoFan, while cash tickets will be available on-site for $10.00. Admission is free for kids younger than kindergarten age, making it an accessible event for families.
As we gear up for an exhilarating tournament filled with skilled players and hard-fought contests, we invite all fans and supporters to rally behind their favorite teams. For real-time updates about game schedules and scores, be sure to check the IESA website.
Let’s celebrate the spirit of young athletes competing at their best—may the games begin!
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