| 2026 Seventh Grade IESA Boys Basketball State Finals Tip-Off Saturday
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Excitement is building as the 2026 Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) boys' basketball season culminates with the State Finals this Saturday, January 31st and February 5th. For the 19th time in history, four champions will be crowned among the seventh-grade teams, with the tournament taking place at four different sites across the state.
Tournament Details:
The Class 1A games will be hosted at Normal Kingsley Junior High School, while Class 2A will take place at Macon Meridian High School. The El Paso-Gridley High School will be the venue for the Class 3A tournament, and Class 4A will be held at East Peoria Central Jr. High School.
Each tournament site will follow the same schedule, with quarterfinal games kicking off at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. The winners of the quarterfinals will then compete in the semifinals that evening, starting at 5:00 p.m. The tournament concludes with the third-place games scheduled for 6:00 p.m. and championship games at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 5.
Updates regarding the tournament status will be available on the IESA website at www.iesa.org, and scores will be posted throughout the day.
Ticket Information:
Fans are encouraged to attend the games to support their teams and celebrate the dedication of all participating athletes. Digital tickets are available for $8.00 per attendee per day through GoFan, and fans attending on Saturday will receive a wristband for entry, valid only at the designated 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 sold on-site for $10.00. Children younger than kindergarten will be admitted free throughout the tournament.
A Brief History:
The IESA boys' basketball program began in 1930. Initially divided into two classes based on weight and height, the classification has evolved significantly over the years. It now features the present system of 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A based on student enrollment for both 7th and 8th grades.
For complete pairings for each state final and additional information, please visit the IESA website and click on the Boys Basketball link.
Join us in celebrating the talents and hard work of our young athletes as they compete for the title of champion!
Here are the matchups for this weekend:
Class 1A @ Normal Kingsley Junior High School
Saturday, January 31
Game 1 10:00 a.m. Chicago St. Helen (11-2) vs. Peoria Christian (18-3)
Game 2 11:30 a.m. Lincoln West Lincoln-Broadwell (23-4) vs Decatur Unity (20-1)
Game 3 1:00 p.m. Rantoul St. Malachy (13-10) vs Pana Sacred Heart (23-3)
Game 4 2:30 p.m. Pontiac St. Mary’s (21-7) vs Annawan (16-1)
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, February 5
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 2025 7th Grade State Finals: Pontiac St. Mary’s, Lincoln West Lincoln-Broadwell (Champion)
Class 2A @ Macon Meridian High School
Saturday, January 31
Game 1 10:00 a.m. Dwight (17-1) vs Peoria St. Philomena (21-6)
Game 2 11:30 a.m. Stronghurst West Central (21-3) vs Winchester (24-0)
Game 3 1:00 p.m. Decatur Robertson (18-1) vs Effingham St. Anthony (22-1)
Game 4 2:30 p.m. McNabb Putnam County (24-1) vs Normal Epiphany (19-1)
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, February 5
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 2025 7th Grade State Finals: Decatur Robertson, McNabb Putnam County.
Class 3A @ El Paso-Gridley HS
Saturday, January 31
Game 1 10:00 a.m. Bradley Central (18-4) vs Clinton (21-4)
Game 2 11:30 a.m. Teutopolis (24-3) vs Calumet City Wentworth (15-2)
Game 3 1:00 p.m. Lisle (13-5) vs Vandalia (21-4)
Game 4 2:30 p.m. LaSalle Lincoln (18-0) vs Metamora GS (22-5)
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, February 5
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 2025 7th Grade State Finals: Teutopolis, Metamora GS (Runner-Up)
Class 4A @ East Peoria Central JHS
Saturday, January 31
Game 1 10:00 a.m. Matteson Colin Powell (25-2) vs Park Forest Michelle Obama STA (22-1)
Game 2 11:30 a.m. East St. Louis Clark (23-2) vs Morton JHS (20-3)
Game 3 1:00 p.m. Springfield Lincoln (23-2) vs New Lenox Martino (16-5)
Game 4 2:30 p.m. Arlington Hts. Thomas (18-2) vs Downers Grove Herrick (13-1)
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, February 5
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 2025 7th Grade State Finals: Matteson Colin Powell, Arlington Hts. Thomas (Runner-Up), Downers Grove Herrick, Springfield Lincoln (Champion).
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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