David vs. Goliath or a clash of the titans?
In the Girls 1A-2A bracket, the past two champions square off in the first round in a 1 vs. 16 match-up. Bloomington Central Catholic, the defending champ and tourney’s top seed, squares off against Rochester, the 2007 champ. The Rockets knocked off Central Catholic for the 2007 title. Both teams are also vying for the 30th win all-time at the State Farm Holiday Classic – Rochester is 29-11 in 10 appearances and Bloomington Central Catholic is 29-16 in 12 appearances.
Pioneers may lead the way
If Rock Island Alleman’s girls team wins its first-round game against Normal Community, the Pioneers will take the lead in all-time victories in girls play at the State Farm Holiday Classic. Alleman is tied with Galesburg with 34 wins.
Looking to run?
North Chicago enters 3A-4A boys tournament play with a field-best 90 ppg average. North Chicago has scored at least 95 points three times in its first seven games – hitting 95 twice and 114 once.
Raiders seek a new streak
In last year’s tournament, Quincy Notre Dame lost for the first time ever in the first round (9-1 now all-time on day one). Today, the Raiders look to stop that losing streak – and start a new winning streak. QND faces Springfield in the first round – and Springfield is the only team to beat QND’s intra-city rival, Quincy, this year.
Welcome
Eleven teams will be making their State Farm Holiday Classic debuts today, and a 12th team (Downs Tri-Valley girls) is returning after an eight-year absence. In boys play, newcomers include defending state champion and large school boys top-seed Champaign Centennial; Chicago Providence St. Mel; Mahomet-Seymour; North Chicago; and Culver (Ind.) Military Academy.
Among the girls teams that are newcomers, the small school bracket features Annawan and Peoria Christian. Four teams will make their State Farm Holiday Classic debuts in the Girls large school field, including second-seed Springfield, Belvidere North, Metamora and Sterling.
