Marquette avenged a 30-point loss from earlier in the season to beat Dwight 65-56 for the Class 1A Amboy Regional title. It is the Crusaders' first regional title since 2012.

The Ottawa girls basketball team shook off a slow start to top Plano 43-21 in the semifinals of the Class 3A La Salle-Peru Regional semifinals on Monday night. The Pirates will play Sterling for the championship at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Ottawa defeated Plano 43-21 during the Class 3A semifinal game on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 in Sellett Gymnasium at L-P High School. The Lady Pirates will play Sterling in the Regional title game on Thursday. Check out photos from the game by Kyle Russell.

There was an extra energy Thursday at Ottawa’s Kingman Gym for senior night. The Pirates girls basketball team fed off it, and into it, making nine 3-pointers, and giving the larger crowd plenty to cheer about on their way to a 45-29 victory against Rochelle.

Midland defeated Marquette on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 at Midland High School.

Illinois’ 2025-26 girls basketball postseason tips off this Saturday for small schools and next Monday for larger schools. Here's a look at what awaits teams from across The Times coverage area.

Here is a schedule of the paths ahead for our Illinois Valley girls basketball teams this postseason, including Ottawa, La Salle-Peru, Streator, Princeton, St. Bede, Marquette, Mendota, Hall, FCW and Seneca.

Herscher senior guard Pippa Dunnill sank six 3-pointers, four coming in the opening quarter, and finished with a game-best 20 points to help the Tigers snap a seven-game losing streak with a 35-31 road triumph over Streator on Monday.

Ottawa found itself in an early hole on the road against upset-minded Bradley-Bourbonnais on Monday, but responded to pick up a 55-44 win and avoid a third straight loss.