CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The IHSA boys’ basketball state championships may be over, but there’s another set of school state basketball championships coming to the Champaign area.
The Illinois Middle School Basketball State Championships will be taking place this weekend at various places in Champaign County. This will be the third time the area hosts the middle school championships for boys’ and girls’ teams in 4th through 8th grade.
“We are thrilled to bring our popular annual state tournament to Champaign-Urbana,” said Bill Reinking, Executive Director of the State Basketball Championship. “The region is the perfect location as it allows for convenient travel for the hundreds of youth teams from Rockford, Chicago Metro, Springfield, Carbondale, and all points in between.”
Tournament venues include the University of Illinois’ Activities and Recreation Center, the Champaign Park District’s Leonhard Recreation Center and Martens Center, St. Thomas More High School, all in Champaign, and St. Malachy Catholic School and JW Eater Jr. High, both in Rantoul.
“Securing a facility such as the University of Illinois Activities and Recreation Center, with its 10 courts under one roof, is sure to provide our basketball families with a one-of-a-kind experience,” Reinking added.
“It’s exciting to continue to showcase up-and-coming basketball athletes at the Middle School Basketball Championships,” said Mark Brown, Director of Sports, Events, and Film with Experience Champaign-Urbana. “Basketball has a special place in our community, and we’re honored to continue welcoming athletes and their fans to provide them a top-notch experience during the championships.”
Brown estimated that the Middle School Championships will bring $2.1 million in economic impact to Champaign-Urbana.
Spectators can purchase single-day ticket for $15 or three-day passes for $30 to $35. Tickets can be purchased online.
The full schedule will be posted online before the end of the Tuesday business day.