Byron couldn't overcome a cold shooting day and couldn't recover from slow starts to the second and third quarters, losing to Breese Central 44-28 in the Class 2A state championship game at Illinois State's CEFCU Arena. It's Byron's fifth state trophy.
Breese Central defeated Byron 44-28 during the Class 2A State championship on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Sterling junior Jossy James was named All-Western Big 6 Conference first-team after tying for the league lead with 19 points per game. Nia Harris and Jae James were also named honorable mention.
Newman's best season since 2009 came to an end after a 60-55 loss to Wethersfield in Thursday's Class 1A Eastland Sectional final.
Newman fell to Wethersfield 60-55 Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in the Class 1A sectional final at Eastland.
Eastland battled adversity like it has throughout the season, but fell short late in a 41-38 loss to Wethersfield in Tuesday night's sectional semifinal matchup. The Cougars finished the season 27-7 with their first regional title since 2020.
Newman used a strong defensive effort and stayed composed late to beat Galena 42-32 and advance to the Sweet 16. The Comets will face Wethersfield on Thursday at 7 p.m. for the Class 1A Eastland Sectional title.
Newman defeated Galena Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, by a score of 42-32 to advance to the Eastland Class 1A sectional final. Newman will face Wethersfield for the sectional title.
Eastland lost to Wethersfield Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, 41-38 in the Class 1A sectional semifinal hosted by Eastland High School.
Newman's lone senior Lucy Oetting stepped up with 24 points as the Comets beat Bureau Valley 66-41 to win their first regional title since 2009.
The Ottawa girls basketball team held regional top seed Sterling 25 points below its season average, upsetting the Golden Warriors 33-27 for the 3A La Salle-Peru Regional title and a trip to next week’s 3A Galesburg Sectional.
While Geneva made key plays in Thursday's Class 3A Dixon Regional championship, Dixon suffered one of its worst shooting nights of the season in a 49-40 Vikings victory at Lancaster Gym.
Ottawa defeated Sterling 33-27 to win the Class 3A Regional title on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 in Sellett Gymnasium at La Salle-Peru Township High School. Check out photos from the game by MaKade Rios.
Dixon and Geneva meet in the Class 3A girls basketball regional Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. Geneva took the hard fought win 49-40.
Bureau Valley's Libby Endress led a balanced effort with 18 points, 11 rebounds and two basket-and-1s late in the Storm's 67-48 win over Polo in the Class 1A Galva Regional semifinals on Tuesday night.
Newman's Gisselle Martin and Elaina Allen hit some big shots as the Comets shook off the rust and pulled away late in a 49-35 win over Stark County in the Class 1A Galva Regional semifinals.
Dixon started strong and never looked back in a 55-10 win over Rockford East in their Class 3A Dixon Regional semifinal Monday night at Lancaster Gym.
Stillman Valley beat Oregon 54-33 at the 2A Winnebago Regional on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 at Winnebago High School.