NORMAL - The journey to the top of Illinois high school basketball reached its pinnacle Saturday at CEFCU Arena as the Washington girls basketball team captured the program’s first state championship.
Facing a resilient Glenwood squad in the IHSA Class 3A final, Washington used a balanced offensive attack and a disciplined defensive performance to secure a 60-45 victory. The win marks a historic milestone for the Panthers, who improved on last season’s third-place finish to claim the title in Normal.
Washington established control early, finishing the first quarter with a 14-10 lead and extending the margin to 34-22 by halftime. The Panthers’ shooting was particularly sharp in the second quarter, when they hit 75% of their field-goal attempts.
Avery Tibbs anchored the Washington offense, delivering a game-high 24 points. Her performance was bolstered by double-digit contributions from Rebecca McDougall, who added 10 points, and a nine-point effort from Danielle Guedet. Washington’s efficiency from the floor — finishing at 56.4% for the game — proved too much for the Titans to overcome.
Lady Panther Rebecca McDougall attempts a shot between Glenwood's Layne Matthew and Stella Lopp. McDougall led her team with five assists and four rebounds in addition to her ten-point finish.
Glenwood refused to go quietly, mounting a challenge in the third quarter. Led by Alexis Neumann, who finished with 16 points and six rebounds, and Ava Bobb, who added 13 points, the Titans cut the deficit to six points late in the period. Washington responded in the fourth quarter. Timely 3-pointers and a disciplined transition game allowed the Panthers to pull away, outscoring Glenwood 18-9 in the final eight minutes.
The statistics underscored Washington’s championship performance. The Panthers dominated the paint, outscoring Glenwood 30-24, and capitalized on turnovers for 16 points.
While the Titans controlled the boards with 28 rebounds to Washington’s 18, the Panthers’ ability to protect the ball and find open shooters in transition proved decisive. As the final buzzer sounded, the celebration began for a Washington team that has now cemented its place in Central Illinois high school basketball history.
Danielle Guedet takes a shot in front of Glenwood's leading scorer Alexis Neumann. Nuemann, who had 16 points, also pulled down a team-high six boards.
Alan Look is a Central Illinois photographer with more than two and a half decades of experience documenting sports, agriculture, automotive subjects, editorial assignments, and commercial projects across the Midwest. His work blends high‑impact action photography with long‑form documentary coverage, creating a visual record of regional sports history, rural life, and the people and industries that define Central Illinois.
To view the complete visual story from the DeeMak-Rockford Christian game, visit the game gallery from Alan Look Photography.
CHAMPAIGN - St. Viator's Jaxon Penovich greets Mahomet-Seymour's Marco Casillas during the Grand March at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals. Later, Penovich (52-5) defeated Casillas in a 5-3 decision to win the 190-pound Class 2A title on Saturday.
CHAMPAIGN - Providence Catholic's 126-pound wrestler Max Mandac celebrates his 8-3 win over IC Catholic's Sammy Murate for the Class 2A title on Saturday night at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals at the State Farm Center. Mandac was one of three Celtic wrestlers to take home a championship medal from this year's state wrestling tournament. This time last year, the sophomore finished his first high school wrestling season with a losing record. Hard work and relentless training a matchchanger for Mandac.
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TAGS: Providence Catholic sports, Celtic's state champion, IHSA wrestling, state champion wrestler from Providence Catholic, high school wrestling champion
CHAMPAIGN - Sandburg's Louie Hayes celebrates his Class 3A 113-pound victory over Montini's Real Woods after their championship match on February 20, 2016, at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals in front a nearly packed State Farm Center. The Eagles' senior, who finished his season with a 44-2 record, defeated the heavily favored Woods 2-1 for the title.
Hayes went to on compete at the college level at Virginia, earning an impressive number of accolades. His four-year career includes reaching the NCAA quarterfinals at 125 pounds along with two other qualifying appearances, earning ACC Wrestling All-Academic Team recognition all four years, and two top-three finishes in the ACC. In his final season, Hayes posted eight bonus point wins including six pins, a tech fall and a major decision for the Cavaliers.
Past Photos of the Day
TAGS: Sentinel Photo of the Day, IHSA wrestling, Illinois state wrestling champion, Louie Hayes win wrestling title, Sandburg's Louie Hayes wins title
Father McGivney's Elena Rybak and St. Anthony's Isabella Keller embrace after running in the Class 1A 1600m Run on Saturday at the Illinois High School Association's Girls Track & Field State Finals back in May. Rybak won the title race with a time of 4:54.02, coming in ahead of Marshall's Molly Farrell in second, and Westmont's Kyla Babb. Keller, a sophomore, finished in fourth place with a time of 4:56.45. Rybak is the most decorated runner in the Griffins' program to date and will compete next season for the Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame.
Smith became just the third individual state champion in school history for North Shore Country Day. Senior medaled in three events at Saturday's state track finals.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
North Shore Country Day's Brian E. Smith turns to acknowledge the roar of the crowd after winning the Class 1A 400m Dash title on Saturday at the IHSA Boys Track & Field State Finals in Charleston. CHARLESTON - North Shore Country Day senior Brian E. Smith II closed out his high school track career with a historic finish at the IHSA Track and Field State Finals, held May 29–31 at Eastern Illinois University. Smith claimed the Class 1A state championship in the 400-meter dash, turning in a winning time of 48.47 seconds, good for the third-fastest 400m time across all three IHSA classes.
With the title, Smith became just the third individual state champion in school history for North Shore Country Day, a private school of just over 500 students in Winnetka. His performance came during what proved to be one of the driest and mildest weather weekends the state finals have seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Smith advanced to the 400m finals after posting his personal-best time of 48.12 seconds in Thursday’s qualifying round. In the championship race, he outran Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley’s Evan Landers-Kristensen, who placed second at 49.06 seconds, and Casey-Westfield’s Hayden Parcel, who took third in 49.36.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Running past Cumberland's Reid Carlen, Smith runs to a second place finish in heat 2 of the 100m Dash prelims on Thursday. He qualified for the championship race with the sixth fastest time at 10.89 after running a 11.10 at sectionals. Read more 2025 Sentinel state track coverage here.
Smith also competed in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes, placing in both to cap a rare triple-threat showing. In the 100m final, he finished fifth with a time of 10.99 seconds. Morrison junior Brady Anderson won the event in 10.74, followed by Lena-Winslow’s Alec Schlichting (10.78), Morrison’s Levi Milder (10.92), and Red Bud’s Gavin Baldwin (10.96).
Later in the day, Smith took on the 200m dash and finished seventh with a time of 22.19. Milder secured his second gold medal of the meet with a personal-best 21.44 in the event.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Smith stands above the 400m Dash finalist during the awards
Smith was one of only two athletes in the state to place in all three sprint events—an accomplishment that underscored his consistency, versatility, and determination in a highly competitive field.
North Shore Country Day’s representation at the state meet wasn’t limited to Smith. Sophomore Kaeden Ackley advanced to compete in the triple jump, gaining valuable experience on the big stage. On the girls’ side, junior Reese Meyers earned a sixth-place finish in the Class 1A 400-meter dash a week earlier, clocking in at 57.94.
“We’re incredibly proud of all three student-athletes for representing North Shore on such a competitive level,” said Athletic Director and coach Patrick McHugh. “It was truly an amazing performance.”
Smith’s 400m state title marked a memorable conclusion to a spring season built on personal milestones, steady progress, and a strong sense of school pride.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Smith crosses the finish line the Class 1A 200m Dash prelims. The senior and one other runner ran in all three short-distance races in the 2025 state finals.
Tagged:North Shore Country Track & Field, State Track, Boys Track & Field, State Champion, Class 1A Sprinter
West Carroll's Emma Randecker accelerates down the middle of the track ahead of Flanagan's Abbi Armstrong and ROWVA-Williamsfield Haven Manning in the 200m Dash prelims on Thursday at the IHSA Girls State Track & Field Finals. Two days later, Randecker took home the Class 1A state titles in both the 100m and 200m Dash.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
IHSA Girls 100m dash delivers speed and excitement; Emma Randecker leads top four at last weekend's state track & field meet for Illinois. Here is the list of the top high school sprinters in Illinois.
CHARLESTON - The 2025 IHSA Girls State Track 100 Meter Dash final at Eastern Illinois University’s O’Brien Stadium showcased a thrilling sprint showdown, with Savanna’s Emma Randecker powering to the championship in a wind-aided 11.91 seconds. The event, often regarded as track fans’ favorite for its electrifying speed and precision, lived up to expectations with a close race among the top four finishers.
Randecker, a senior from West Carroll, maintained her top form from the prelims, where she clocked a swift 12.11 seconds. Her winning time in the final was a significant improvement on her 2024 finals time of 12.22 seconds, marking a strong season progression. Randecker’s sectional qualifying time of 11.95 seconds had already signaled her as a contender for the state crown.
Finishing second was Jaida Reed of El Paso-Gridley, a sophomore who set a personal record of 12.09 seconds in the final, improving on her prelim time of 12.16 seconds and last year’s state finals time of 12.53 seconds as a freshman. Reed’s quick rise places her firmly among the state’s elite sprinters, and her 2024 qualification shows continued consistency. Her second place finish was key in EPG winning this year's Class 1A team title.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
West Carroll's Emma Randecker and Mendon Unity's Saylor Barry pull ahead Newman Catholic's Elaina Allen and the rest of the field in the championship race for the 100m dash on Saturday. Randecker took first and Barry finished second in the Class 1A race.
Unity’s junior Saylor Barry took third place with a final time of 12.17 seconds, a slight drop from her 12.03-second sectional qualifier but an improvement over her 2024 state final performance of 12.32 seconds. Barry’s prelim time this year matched her final time from last year, demonstrating steady competitive output.
The 100-meter dash remains a fan favorite for three reasons: the event showcases raw speed and explosive power over a brief but intense sprint; its unpredictability keeps spectators on edge as races can be decided by hundredths of a second; and it serves as a fundamental test of sprint mechanics, often predicting future stars in the sport.
Rounding out the top four was senior Lilly Gilbertson from Father McGivney, who ran 12.27 seconds in the final, shaving time off her prelim 12.39 and comfortably improving on prior benchmarks this season.
Several runners qualified for the state finals in both 2024 and 2025, illustrating a strong core of returning talent. Notable among these are Randecker, Reed, Barry, Gilbertson, and Elaina Allen from Sterling, who placed seventh this year with a 12.37 final time.
This year’s 100-meter dash also highlighted some freshmen to watch. McKenna Van Tilburg of Wilmington, who set a personal record of 12.31 seconds to place fifth, and Madison Yazel of Maroa-Forsyth, are among the promising newcomers. Reese Hoene from Effingham's St. Anthony's and Abbi Armstrong from Flanagan also posted strong times, hinting at a deep field in coming years.
Ramblers' Harlee Hiller (left) pushes Hampshire's Amelia Nidelea-Polanin head to the mat on her way to winning her second state champion title. In her four-year prep career, Hiller never placed below third at the IHSA state tournament.
BLOOMINGTON – Loyola Academy senior Harlee Hiller capped her high school wrestling career with another championship performance at the IHSA Girls Wrestling State Finals on Saturday. Hiller won all four of her matches in the 115-pound division at Grossinger Motors Arena, earning her second consecutive state title.
Hiller allowed just three points across the tournament while controlling each match. In the finale, she defeated Mt. Zion’s Sydney Cannon by a 12-0 major decision. After a scoreless first period, Hiller broke the match open in the second with a takedown and nearfall to go ahead 7-0. The Rambler added an escape and another takedown early in the third period, then tacked on one final point in the closing seconds.
The title run marked a return to the top for Hiller, who finished as the 115-pound runner-up last season after a 4-3 loss to Gabby Gomez of Glenbard North. As a sophomore, she captured the 105-pound championship, and she placed third in the inaugural IHSA girls wrestling state series during her freshman year in 2022.
Hiller opened her final state tournament with a first-period pin against Metea Valley’s Ashley Basmajian in 1:21. She advanced through the quarterfinals after LaSalle-Peru’s Kiely Domyancich was disqualified in the second period. In the semifinals, Hiller shut out Hampshire’s Amelia Nidelea-Polanin with an 11-0 major decision.
With two titles and four state medals in as many years, Hiller leaves Loyola Academy as one of the program’s most accomplished wrestlers.
More photos from Hiller's 115 pound match against Hampshire’s Amelia Nidelea-Polanin.
Gabby Gomez celebrates here title victory in the 115-pound class at the IHSA Girls' Individual Wrestling State Finals on Saturday. The state champion grappler from Glenbard North finished the season with a perfect 42-0 record after defeating Loyola Academy's Harlee Hiller in the championship match, 4-3.
Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
BLOOMINGTON - Glenbard North wrestler Gabby Gomez is a beast. Nationally ranked, she rolled through the girls' 115-pound state bracket unscathed to win her third-consecutive state wrestling title after besting Loyola Academy's Harlee Hiller in the weight class finale.
Gomez opened her third visit to the IHSA tournament with a pinning Normal University's Allison Kroesch (21-13). Already up 9-2 in the second period, the Panther pinned the Pioneer at 2:45 to advance to the quarterfinal round.
In her next match, Gomez put on a mini-clinic. She scored four takedowns and collected points on two near falls in the first period on Springfield's Ella Miloncus. Up 12-3 in the second period, she casually pinned Miloncus at 2:16 after adding two points for a reversal to her match score (14-3).
Squaring off against Lincoln-Way Central's Gracie Guarino (29-1) in the quarterfinals, Gomez tallied a takedown in each of the first two periods and scored on a reversal to win her bout, 6-1.
The anticipated title match between Gomez and Harlee Hiller went the distance, but not without controversy. Hiller, a junior who won last year's 105 title and made school history as the first female wrestling state champion at Loyola Academy, was driven off the mat by Gomez into the penalty box wall six feet away. Despite a protest by the Loyola coach and after a brief recovery period, the match continued.
Hiller tied the match up at 2-all in the third period on an escape from a restart. The knot lasted a little more a minute when Gomez scored the match-winning takedown to go up 4-2. Hiller collected another escape point before the match ended at 4-3.
Gomez, a junior at North, has not lost a prep wrestling match during her career. Now 83-0, this time next year, if all goes according to plan, she could be the first Illinois high school girl to wrestle all four years without a loss.
by Alan Look
