Sports editor Matt Daniels has a quick breakdown of nine area regional title games that chip off on Thursday or Friday nights:
Class 3a
(1) Mahomet-Seymour (20-11) vs. (5) Danville (12-19), 6pm on Fridays
What to do: whether Mahomet-Seymour can win the fourth consecutive region title, or whether the host viking can wind up its first regional plaque since 2008. January 7th. However, the Vikings, led by Jada Bell, have played .500 balls since their previous defeat to MS.
Who won: Mahomet-Seymour, 57-40. The Bulldogs will face Taylorville or Rochester next Tuesday night.
Class 2a
(1) Bishop McNamara (24-7) vs. (3) St. Joseph Ogden (12-16), 7pm, Thursday, 2019.
hoth perspective: if the host Spartan can draw up agitation and win the program’s eighth regional title with a home victory in the last decade. Coach Drew Alteaga has never lost a regional championship game at SJ-O in his fourth season. However, the Spartan, paced by Katie Ericksen and Kayla Osterbur, struggles to find consistency throughout the season. Not that Bishop McNamara, who defeated SJ-O 41-29 on December 26th in the State Farm Holiday Classic.
Who Winner: Bishop McNamara, 47-35. The Spartans will give Irish fit early before Bishop McNamara proceeds to Seneca or Manteno next Tuesday night to the Hersher division.
(1) Paris (23-7) vs (4) Monticello (20-10), 7pm, Thursday
hoth perspective: how Monticello will treat perhaps the toughest opponent this season. Sege, who won the last regional title in 2018, won 20 winmarks in a 38-35 victory over host Meridian on Tuesday night. Megan Allen, Ali Weidner and the rest of the wise men are 15-5 from Christmas. If Monticello can withstand the pressures of Paris, be careful.
Who won: Paris, 47-41. The Sage leaves it all on the floor, but Paris moves to the home court section next Tuesday night against Teutopolis or Newton.
(2) Watseka (26-4) vs. (4) Hoopeston Area (20-10), 6:30pm, Thursday
What to do: What if the recent regular season matchups that the two Vermilion Valley Conference teams have in this winning home game, what are the differences? Leading by Megan Martin and Christa Holohan, Watseka led the team at 64-52 on their home court two weeks ago. The Warriors will try to win their fourth consecutive regional title on Thursday night. Leaded by Claire Dixon and Maddie Burns, the Hoopston Area has one of the best seasons in program history, earning 20 wins in a 56-49 victory against Clifton Central on Tuesday night.
Who won: Watseka, 49-45. Watseka moves forward to perform either Joliet Catholic or Reed Custer next Tuesday night at Hersher Sectional.
(2) Maroa-Forsyth (23-5) vs. (3) Sullivan (28-3), 6pm, Thursday
What to do: Will Sullivan be able to maintain his success in 2025? Manager Sheri McCain’s team hasn’t lost this year, bringing essentially a 14-game victory over the Trojans to the road game. Emily Miller, Shae Ellis and the rest of the Redskins – competing for their first regional title since 2019 – has only lost to 2A opponents this season, and it’s back on December 7th .
Who Winner: Sullivan, 54-53. Sullivan will only be enough to move ahead and face either Mount Carmel or Kama White County next Tuesday night at the Paris Sectional.
Class 1A
(2) Tuscola (17-13) vs. (3) Arcola (21-9), 7pm, Thursday
Hot Viewing: Cola Wars. There is postseason plaque on the line. I said enough. Hoping for a great atmosphere inside the Tuscola gym on Thursday night, two nearby rivals will be their second in the season, with Tascola aiming for their fourth consecutive regional title, with Arcola’s first since 2015 You’re about to do so. And Reese Davis leads, already having a 34-33 victory over the Purple Riders. But it returned on November 25th. Leading by dynamic scorer Kacie Sisk, Arcola overcomes some of the midseason struggles and scores nine of her last 10 games.
Who Winner: Tascola, 34-33. The Host Warriors will move forward by playing either St. Anthony or Altamont in the Alcola section next Tuesday night.
(1) Salt Fork (28-2) vs. (4) Heritage/Academy High (20-11), 6pm, Thursday
hoth perspective: if the upset Hawks are enough to slow down a salt folk team that barely resisted throughout the season when two teams chip off in Georgetown. Alexa Jamison, Sailor Pacot and the rest of the Storm lineup are aiming for consecutive regional titles, winning 11 straight games. Heavily dependent on Brooklyn Powell and Meghan Frye, Heritage/Academy High enjoys a groundbreaking season and is about to win the program’s first regional title since 2004.
Who won: Salt Fork, 49-31. Storm will play either St. Teresa or Windsor/Stewardson Strasburg in the cross section of Arcola next Tuesday night.
(2) Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley (26-5) vs. (4) Triopint (23-5), 7pm, Thursday
Hot Viewing: The number of points that Lily Size More places in front of home fans. The sophomore standout at Gibson City Melvincible has already staved off 1,000 career points, which is a major reason why Falcon is in a position to win second consecutive regional titles.
Who Prize: Gibson City Melvin Sibley, 67-44. The Falcons will perform either Roanoke Benson or Mount Pulaski in the Midlands section next Tuesday night.
(1) Cissna Park (26-4) vs. (3) Dwight (20-12), 6pm, Thursday
hoth perspective: Addison Ruhi, Laurin Hamrick and the rest of the Sisna Park rosters are looking for another deep run in February after reaching the Elite Eight last season. The full Vermillion Valley Conference champions thrived against a challenging schedule throughout the season.
Who Winner: Cisna Park, 48-36. The Timberwolves will move forward to take over either Hayworth or Flanagan Cornell in the Midlands section next Tuesday night.
