It is notable that Oswego High School captured the boys basketball tournament at DeKalb’s Chuck Dayton and the school girls team took third place at the Oswego East tournament which continues to grow in stature. The West Aurora boys won three games in a row to take the consolation championship at the Pontiac Holiday Classic. See below.
First, Illinois High School Association (IHSA) football district alignment which will begin in 2021, unless a movement swings the tide back to conference football play. The recent vote by the schools was close.
There were 818 ballots extended on IHSA proposal 23 to schools. The tally: Yes, 324; No, 307; no opinion, 69; no votes, 118.
Oswego East High School athletic director Robert Kaminski: “I was caught off guard that the proposal passed, based on the straw poll vote at the town hall meeting I attended, although I know that ours was only one of many town meetings conducted across the state; I’m processing more than anything now. In the first few days I have been talking to fellow ADs and our coaches about the proposal, not necessarily positives or negatives, but the about the concept and its impact on Illinois high school football. I would imagine the only way for the proposal to change would be for another proposal to be made and passed on next year’s ballot.”
Waubonsie Valley High School head football coach Paul Murphy: “The DuPage Valley Conference was in favor of the districts due to the difficulty we are having scheduling games. Right now, we are still open week nine (for 2019) and (Waubonsie Valley is) going to play Trinity High School Louisville, Ky. where Naperville Central played last year. Most 8A schools don’t want to play teams in our conference. I don’t know if districts are good or bad, but something had to change so we don’t have to scramble to find games every year.”
Boys basketball holiday tournament champions:
Jacobs: Cary-Grove 55, Waubonsie Valley 50
Marengo: Crystal Lake C. 75, Hampshire 58
Glenbard West: Lake Park 44, Glenbard S. 42
Hinsdale Central: Marian 52, Homewood-Flossmoor 45
Third place: Oswego East 58, DePaul 55, 2 ot
East Aurora: Wheaton Academy 53, Plainfield Central 48
Third place: Downers Grove N. 57, Neuqua Valley 49
DeKalb: Oswego 61, DeKalb 46
York: York 55, Downers Grove South 52
Plano: Peoria Notre Dame 56, Ottawa 45
Third place: Burlington C. 66, Northridge 50
Marseilles: Hall 53, Indian Creek 38
ICCP/Westmont: Westmont 50 Chic. Latin 34
Wheeling: Geneva 45, Fremd 41
Pontiac: Chicago Curie 58, Bloom 44
Consolation Chmpionship: West Aurora 70, Danville 64
Bloominton/Normal Third place: Prov.-St. Mel 71, Aurora Christian 52
Girls basketball holiday tournament champions:
Oswego East: Lincoln-Way W. 64, Joliet C. 42
Third place: Oswego 66, Lockport 61