Peoria's Top Boys Basketball Teams Shine in 2026 IHSA Sectionals

Introduction

The buzz surrounding the 2026 IHSA boys basketball regional championships was palpable last Friday night across Illinois. As fans filled the stands, we witnessed thrilling matchups and outstanding performances from Peoria's finest athletes. In this article, I'll take you through the ten boys basketball teams that not only won regional titles but also secured their spots in the eagerly anticipated sectional semifinals.

The Highlights of the Night

Peoria's teams have shown remarkable grit and determination as they battled on the court. Let's delve into how each team shone during their respective regional championships.

Class 1A Performances

Brimfield

• How they won: Brimfield established dominance early in their match against Fieldcrest, with Connor Doe leading the way by scoring an impressive 35 points in their 66-37 victory. This marked an emotional watershed moment, as it was their first regional title in a decade.
• What's next: They will face Deer Creek-Mackinaw, who has an equally impressive record of 25-6, on Wednesday at the Monmouth United Sectional semifinal.

Illini Bluffs

• How they won: As the ninth seed, Illini Bluffs fought hard to earn a 55-46 victory against host Galva. This win allows the Tigers to advance to sectionals for the fourth consecutive year, reinforcing their position in local basketball history.
• What's next: Illini Bluffs (15-18) will play Tremont (23-10) at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Monmouth United Sectional semifinal.

Tremont

• How they won: Securing a 76-70 victory against West Prairie, Tremont celebrated their first regional championship in seven years and only the third in the last decade.
• What's next: Tremont (23-10) will take on Illini Bluffs on Tuesday.

Deer Creek-Mackinaw

• How they won: Facing a challenging game against Mendon Unity, Dee-Mack emerged victorious with a 54-52 win, breaking a regional title drought that lasted eight years.
• What's next: Dee-Mack's next hurdle is Brimfield in the sectional semifinals.

Class 2A Standouts

Farmington

• How they won: Farmington, hosting the regional, showcased a stellar performance with Jack Gronewold leading the charge to a 72-62 upset of the top-seeded Sherrard.
• What's next: They will go up against Warsaw West Hancock in the sectional semifinal on Tuesday.

Manual

• How they won: The Rams, ranked fifth statewide, cruised past Bloomington Central Catholic with ease, achieving a 62-29 victory. This win solidified their position in the sectionals for the third straight year.
• What's next: Manual will take on Port Byron Riverdale on Tuesday.

Class 3A Results

Morton

• How they won: After an intense rivalry game against Metamora, Morton prevailed with a 55-42 victory, claiming their twenty-first consecutive win.
• What's next: The Potters are set to face LaSalle-Peru on Tuesday.

East Peoria

• How they won: Under the leadership of Illinois commit Quinton Kitt, who scored an astounding 37 points, East Peoria avenged a previous loss by defeating Peoria High 68-57 and celebrated their first regional title since 1997.
• What's next: They'll meet top-seeded Kankakee on Wednesday.

LaSalle-Peru

• How they won: LaSalle-Peru took the court with resilience, overcoming Ottawa for the fourth time this season with a close 57-53 win.
• What's next: They're headed into their third consecutive sectional semifinal against Morton.

Class 4A Insights

Richwoods

• How they won: Demonstrating their prowess, Richwoods secured a 72-66 victory over Rock Island, fueled by the exceptional performance of Division-I prospect Amarion Smith-Holley, who scored 31 points.
• What's next: Richwoods will face Normal Community in the sectionals.

Conclusion

As Peoria's teams gear up for the upcoming sectional semifinals, the excitement continues to build. Each team has not only fought hard to reach this stage, but they also carry the weight of their communities' hopes and dreams. Stay tuned as we follow these teams on their journey, showcasing the dedication and talent that define high school basketball in our area.

This article originally appeared on The Journal Star: IHSA boys basketball: 10 local teams advance to sectionals