Meridian, Benton Playing For State Titles this Weekend

The IHSA State Finals began Thursday morning at the State Farm Center on the campus of the University of Illinois in Champaign.

Every once in a while, a team from Southern Illinois is able to make it all the way to the big dance. This year, two local teams not only made it to Champaign, but will play for a state title.

The Meridian Bobcats coached by David Davis are making their 3rd appearance in the State Finals in school history. They made it all the way to the 1A State Championship game in 2015, before losing to Brimfield by just four points.

Meridian cruised their way to a regional title at the 1A Hardin County regional, winning both of their contests by 26 and 31 points.

At the NCOE Sectional, Meridian defeated Waltonville and then took down the defending 1A State Champion Waterloo Gibault Catholic to win their second consecutive sectional title.

A thrilling 60-53 win over Christ Our Rock Lutheran in the 1A Super-Sectional at EIU punched the Bobcats’ ticket to the State Finals, where they would be matched up with Chicago Hope Academy in the state semis.

Meridian trailed by 4 at the half, but outscored Hope Academy 29-18 in the second half to move on.

Meridian will face West Central in the IHSA 1A State Championship on Saturday at 11 AM.

The Bobcats look to become the first team from Southern Illinois to win the 1A state title since Okawville did so in 2018.

The Benton Rangers have dominated their way through 2A this season. The 33-3 Rangers will play in the State Championship game for the first time in school history on Saturday.

Ron Winemiller has had his fair share of success since he took over as the Rangers’ head coach in 2009. Winemiller led Benton to regional titles in 2011, 2012, 2017 (3A) and 2020, but prior to this year they hadn’t won a sectional since 2003.

Benton took care of the West Frankfort Regional, defeating Hamilton County and Carterville with ease.

The Rangers had the luxury of hosting their own sectional, in which they took down Trenton Wesclin and then #1 ranked Breese Central to win their first sectional crown in 21 years.

With a 43-36 win over Teutopolis in the 2A Super-Sectional at SIU-Carbondale, the Rangers advanced to the State Finals for the first time since 1992.

Benton faced Byron in the 2A semifinals, and led nearly from start to finish. The Rangers defeated Byron 50-42 to advance to the 2A state title game.

Benton will battle Chicago Phillips in the 2A State Championship Game on Saturday at 1 PM.

Benton looks to become the 2nd team in Southern Illinois to win the 2A state title in the last 3 seasons. Nashville won the state title in 2022.

Southern Illinois HS Boys Basketball Teams to win IHSA State Championships:

Nashville (2A) – 2022
Okawville (1A) – 2018
Effingham St. Anthony (1A) – 2017
Harrisburg (2A) – 2013
Breese Central (2A) – 2012
Woodlawn (1A) – 2012
Robinson (2A) – 2010
Pinckneyville (A) – 2001
Shelbyville (A) – 1996
Pinckneyville (A) – 1994
Carlyle (A) – 1989
Teutopolis (A) – 1986 *TTown Girls also won state title*
McLeansboro (A) – 1984
Lawrenceville (A) – 1982 & 1983
Nashville (A) – 1978
Lawrenceville (A) – 1974
Ridgway (A) – 1973
Lawrenceville (A) – 1972
Herrin – 1957
Mt. Vernon – 1949, 1950 & 1954
Pinckneyville 1948
Paris – 1947 & 1943
Centralia – 1942
Johnston City – 1929
Mt. Carmel – 1927
Centralia – 1922
Marion – 1921
Mt. Vernon – 1920
Centralia – 1918

Southern Illinois HS Boys Basketball Teams to make it to IHSA State Championship Game and lose:

Nashville (2A) – 2019
Mt. Carmel (2A) – 2017
Okawville (1A) – 2017
Meridian (1A) – 2015
Nashville (2A) – 2014
Murphysboro (2A) – 2011
Centralia (3A) – 2010
Massac County (2A) – 2009
Woodlawn (1A) – 2009
Carbondale (AA) – 2005
Herrin (A) – 2002
Teutopolis (A) – 2000
Carbondale (AA) – 1994
Pinckneyville (A) – 1988
Okawville (A) – 1987
Meridian (A) – 1972
Carbondale – 1967
Centralia – 1963
Paris – 1942
Herrin – 1940
Paris – 1939
Robinson – 1916