Welcome to the party…
Joliet Central moves into the championship game of the Large School Boys Bracket in their first appearance in the State Farm Holiday Classic. The Steelmen are matched up against Wheaton Warrenville South, who joined The Classic in 2015.
Another first…
Camp Point Central/Augusta Southeastern makes their first appearance in the championship game. The Lady Panthers have been a member of the Classic event since 1997 (originally as Camp Point Central). The Camp Pt/ASE coop first appeared in 2006.
Two overtimes, no problem…
Morton outlasted Normal University High in the Large School Bracket semifinals in two overtimes, two LESS extra periods than last year’s four overtime loss to Chicago North Lawndale.
Changing of the guard…
For the first time since 2005, no Bloomington-Normal high schools will be in a championship game.
Hardware consistency…
For the fifth time since 2010, the Rock Island girls will take home a trophy after earning another championship appearance. After winning the consolation bracket in 2010, the Lady Rocks have had two 4th-place finishes as well as a 2nd-place showing in 2015.
Record Breaker…
Jayde VanHyfte (Annawan) moved into 2nd-place in the most career points category in the Girls’ record book. VanHyfte passed Khadaizha Sanders (Kankakee Bishop Mac/Rutgers) and Zahna Medley (Springfield/TCU), completing the 2016 event with 273 career points. She trails only her sister Celina (Southern Illinois-Carbondale), who holds the career record with 358 career tallies.