SIJHSAA Basketball Tips off another championship series at Rend Lake College

INA, Ill. (Jan. 18, 2013) – A tradition of southern Illinois junior high championship basketball tipped off Friday, Jan. 18, with the Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association’s 2012 Class S, M and L Girls State Basketball Tournament at Rend Lake College. The SIJHSAA Class S, M and L Boys State Basketball Tournament will follow on Feb. 1 – 14.

Okawville Junior High fans cheer on their Lady Rockets in the school’s win over Christopher Elementary, Friday night, in the opening round of the 2013 Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association championship basketball tournaments.

Held on the floor of James “Hummer” Waugh Gymnasium at RLC for more than 30 years now, the girls and boys state basketball championships will showcase 56 local teams, all vying for a spot among the SIJHSAA’s 92-year history of the best junior high basketball teams in the region.
The tournament dates back to 1928 when it was played as sub-states at various locations in southern Illinois, particularly high schools. The tournament came to RLC when a significant snow storm hit the region in 1978, causing officials to scratch game after game in regional tournaments throughout the area. RLC provided a central site and the event has stayed there ever since. Moreover, it continues to grow larger each year, with more teams competing for the championship in classes S, M and L.

Greg Hale of Pinckneyville took over as SIJHSAA Executive Director last June, replacing 15-year head Jim Burnes. Hale talked about some goals he had for his role with the association. They included an improved website with sponsorship opportunities. He checked that off the list last year. The site at www.sijhsaa.com is completely revamped with better functionality, a slick look and feel, and corporate sponsors – including Baden which is providing all the balls for SIJHSAA tournaments. Results from the upcoming rounds at RLC can be found on this site, along with a wealth of information about SIJHSAA sports and opportunities for users to interact, predict tournament winners and post questions in forums.

The Girls Class M tournament at Rend Lake started things off Friday, Jan. 18, with Meridian and Aviston (3:30 p.m.), Christopher and Okawville (4:45 p.m.), Goreville and Pinckneyville Jr. High (6 p.m.), and Fairfield and Gallatin County (7:15 p.m.). The Class M final four is at 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., Jan. 22. A consolation game is set for 6 p.m., Jan. 25, immediately followed by the Class M championship at 7:30 p.m.

The Girls Class L tournament will start Saturday, Jan. 19, with Carterville going up against Centralia (9:30 a.m.), West Frankfort taking on Highland (10:45 a.m.), Massac County facing off against Collinsville (noon), and Carmi taking on Trico (1:15 p.m.). The Class L final four is scheduled for 6 and 7:15 p.m., Jan. 23, and the consolation final will be at 9:30 a.m., Jan. 26, immediately followed by the Class L championship game at 11 a.m.
The Girls Class S tournament also gets underway Saturday, Jan. 19, with Lick Creek and Summersville (2:30 p.m.), St. John Catholic (Red Bud) and Bartelso (3:45 p.m.), DeSoto and Germantown (5 p.m.), and St. Joe (Olney) taking on Hoyleton-Grand Prairie (6:15 p.m.). Final four matchups will be played at 6 and 7:15 p.m., Jan. 24, with a consolation final at 12:30 p.m., Jan. 26, followed by the Class S championship game at 2 p.m. The Class S finals will conclude the 2013 girls state tournament.

The Boys Class M tournament regional winners will start things off Friday, Feb. 1, with Region 3 versus Region 2 (3:30 p.m.), Region 6 versus Region 1 (4:45), Region 8 versus Region 4 (6:00), and Region 5 versus Region 7 (7:15). The final four is at 6 p.m., and 7:15 p.m., Feb. 5. A consolation game is set for 6 p.m., Feb. 8, immediately followed by the Class M championship at 7:30 p.m.

The Boys Class S tournament gets underway Saturday, Feb. 2, with Region 3 versus Region 13 (9:30 a.m.), Region 15 versus Region 12 (10:45), Region 4 versus Region 1 (Noon), Region 2 versus Region 16 (1:15), Region 9 versus Region 5 (2:30), Region 11 versus Region 6 (3:45), Region 7 versus Region 8 (5:00), and Region 14 versus Region 10 (6:15). Quarterfinals are at 3:30, 4:45, 6:00 and 7:15 on Feb. 4. Final four matchups will be played at 6 and 7:15 p.m., Feb. 7, with a consolation final at 2:30 p.m., Feb. 9, followed by the championship game at 4 p.m.

The Class L tournament will run Feb. 9 through Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14. The Feb. 9 lineup will feature Region 2 versus Region 3 (9:30 a.m.), Region 6 versus Region 1 (10:45 a.m.), Region 8 versus Region 4 (noon) and Region 5 versus Region 7 (1:15 p.m.). The tournament will continue with the final four at 6 and 7:15 p.m., Feb. 12. A consolation game will be played at 6 p.m.., Feb. 14, followed by the Class L championship at 7:30 p.m.
Scores and results from the series of SIJHSAA tournaments at RLC can be found on-line daily at www.sijhsaa.com or by following Rend Lake College at www.twitter.com. For all things athletic at The Lake, visit RLC online at www.rlc.edu/warriors.