The 2026 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) girls basketball regional championships recently concluded, showcasing a thrilling display of talent and determination across various classes. Nine teams from the Peoria area emerged victorious, securing their spots in the highly anticipated sectional semifinals. These wins mark significant milestones for many of these programs, some achieving consecutive regional titles or breaking long-standing dry spells, all while setting their sights on the ultimate prize: a state championship.
IHSA Girls Basketball: Regional Champions Advance to Sectional Semifinals
In a series of intense matchups on Thursday, February 19, 2026, and Friday, February 20, 2026, high school girls' basketball teams from across Illinois battled for regional supremacy. The Peoria region saw a strong performance, with nine teams successfully clinching regional championships and moving on to the sectional rounds.
Class 1A Highlights:
- Havana, playing on their home court, secured their second consecutive regional championship for the first time in a decade, triumphing over West Prairie with a dominant 56-26 victory. The Ducks (24-6) are now poised to compete against the Elmwood Regional winner in the Bushnell-Prairie City Sectional semifinal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., eyeing their first sectional title since 2023.
- Abingdon-Avon achieved a remarkable feat, winning three consecutive regional championships in their co-op history by defeating Brimfield 48-31. The Tornadoes (26-5), who reached the Elite Eight last season, are set to face Mt. Sterling Brown County (28-3) in the Bushnell-Prairie City Sectional semifinal at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
- Top-seeded and No. 1-ranked Deer Creek-Mackinaw continued their impressive run, overcoming Heart of Illinois Conference rival Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 57-44 in the Armstrong Regional championship. Dalia Dejesus led the Chiefs (29-3) with 27 points, supported by Jaelyn Nunley's 11. They advance to the sectional for the fourth straight season and will play Roanoke-Benson (23-8) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Gilman Iroquois West Sectional semifinal.
- Roanoke-Benson made program history by winning back-to-back regionals for the first time, defeating host Clifton Central 49-25. Bri Harms powered the Rockets (23-8) with 25 points, extending their winning streak to six games as they head into their third sectional appearance, facing Dee-Mack on Tuesday.
- Wethersfield emerged victorious in the Fulton Regional championship, narrowly defeating second-seed Pecatonica 36-32. The Flying Geese achieved consecutive regional titles for the first time in seven years and are now focused on ending a 20-year sectional title drought. They will meet Lanark Eastland (27-6) in the Lanark Eastland Sectional semifinal at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
- Top-seeded Midland ended a 27-year wait for a regional championship, securing a 52-45 win over Yorkville Christian in the Serena Regional final. The Timberwolves (25-7) continue to break program records for single-season wins and carry a 12-game winning streak into their sectional semifinal against Aurora Christian (12-15) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in the Shabbona Indian Creek Sectional.
Class 3A Highlights:
- No. 1-ranked Washington completed a clean sweep against rival Dunlap, winning 61-33. The Panthers (30-2) are heading to their fifth consecutive sectional, fueled by Avery Tibbs' 17 points and Dani Guedet's 14. They will challenge Ottawa (20-9) in the Galesburg Sectional semifinal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
- In a tightly contested rematch, second-seeded Galesburg stifled No. 3-seed Morton with a 35-19 victory in the East Peoria Regional title game. The Silver Streaks (27-4) are now looking to clinch their first sectional championship since 2011, facing the Metamora Regional winner at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in the Galesburg Sectional semifinal.
Class 4A Highlights:
- Top-seeded Richwoods held off a resilient Rock Island team to win the East Moline United Township Regional championship 52-48. The Knights secured their first regional title since 2020 and are eager to capture their first sectional championship since their 2018 Class 3A state title win. Richwoods (23-4) will go head-to-head with Moline (25-7) in the Richwoods Sectional semifinal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
The stage is now set for thrilling sectional semifinals, as these victorious teams vie for further advancement in the IHSA girls basketball playoffs. Each team brings a unique story of perseverance and success, promising an exciting series of games as they move closer to the state championships.
The recent regional championships for the Illinois High School Association girls' basketball teams were a powerful reminder of the dedication and competitive spirit embodied by young athletes. Witnessing teams achieve long-sought-after regional titles, some after decades of effort, highlights the importance of sustained hard work and belief in a program's potential. These victories are not just about winning games; they represent the culmination of countless hours of practice, teamwork, and strategic planning. As these teams progress to the sectional semifinals, their journeys serve as an inspiration, demonstrating that perseverance can lead to significant accomplishments and that every season offers an opportunity to make history.