The brackets for the 44th annual State Farm Holiday Classic have been released. This year’s event will be held Dec. 27-30 at four venues across Bloomington-Normal — Illinois Wesleyan University’s Shirk Center, Bloomington High School, Normal Community High School and Normal West High School. A complete list of participating teams and their updated records/results can be found at theclassic.org/team-list/.
Brackets can be viewed and downloaded at theclassic.org/brackets. Seedings are determined by a poll of participating head coaches, statewide media and organizing committee members. Adjustments were made to avoid teams playing a conference or regular season opponent through the first two rounds of the tournament.
FIELD OF 64
Among the 64 participating teams through December 6 games:
- eight teams are still undefeated
- 22 teams have one or no losses
- 49 of the 64 teams have a .500 record or better
- the combined record of the tournament field is 269-158 for a .630 winning percentage
SMALL SCHOOL BOYS
Bracket: theclassic.org/brackets/small-school-boys/
Six different teams received #1 Seed votes. Top 4 seeds (#1 seed votes in parentheses):
- Aurora Christian (4)
- Normal U-High (1)
- St. Joseph-Ogden (3)
- El Paso-Gridley (1)
14 of 16 teams have .500 record or better. Combined record of bracket is 57-28 for a .671 winning percentage.
SMALL SCHOOL GIRLS
Bracket: theclassic.org/brackets/small-school-girls/
Four different teams received #1 Seed votes. Top 4 seeds (#1 seed votes in parentheses):
12 of 16 teams have .500 record or better. Combined record of bracket is 77-39 for a .664 winning percentage.
LARGE SCHOOL BOYS
Bracket: theclassic.org/brackets/large-school-boys/
Normal Community was seeded #1 on all but one ballot. Top 4 seeds (#1 seed votes in parentheses):
11 of 16 teams have .500 record or better. Combined record of bracket is 55-45 for a .550 winning percentage.
LARGE SCHOOL GIRLS
Bracket: theclassic.org/brackets/large-school-girls/
Three different teams received #1 Seed votes. Top 4 seeds (#1 seed votes in parentheses):
- Normal Community (7)
- Chicago Hyde Park (3)
- Quincy (1)
- Washington
12 of 16 teams have .500 record or better. Combined record of bracket is 80-46 for a .635 winning percentage.
The State Farm Holiday Classic will once again be hosting the Ron Knisley Memorial Special Olympics Shootout with 16 area Special Olympics teams scheduled to participate, with half-time demonstrations during the championship games on Dec. 30. The tournament will also open their annual scholarship program during the tournament for eligible graduating student-athletes who play in this year’s event.
For more information on both programs, go to www.theclassic.org.
