Metamora Grade School joins list of IESA basketball champs from Peoria area

The Illinois Elementary School Association basketball state finals for seventh- and eighth-graders took place in December 2023 and February 2024 at locations across the state.

Four girls teams from Peoria-area communities won state championships in December, while another area boys team won in February. Here is a look at each championship team:

BOYS

Metamora Grade School

• Record: 28-1

• How they won: Defeated Quincy St. Peter 53-40 to win the eighth-grade Class 3A state championship at Tolono Unity High School on Feb. 15, 2024.

• Roster: Brady Karch, Collin Morrison, Kayden Turner, Brady Seckler, Mason Russell, Rush Pace, Sam Koch, Tanner Curtin, Brady Jones, Adam Pavesich, Cam Beekman, Parker Emery, AJ Ioerger and Jeffery Reyes.

• History: The school's sixth IESA title in all sports and third in boys basketball. MGS's seventh-grade team won last season.

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GIRLS

Washington St. Patrick

• Record: 28-0

• How they won: Defeated Kinderhook Western 22-6 to win the seventh-grade Class 1A state championship at Assumption Central A&M Middle School on Dec. 7, 2023.

• Roster: Kate McDougall, Emma Draeger, Grace Johannsen, Grace Ruppel, Maeve Greene, Brynn Reed, Grace Messmer, Lilia Blankenship, Ashlyn Crowley, Sophia Ozella, Maya Anthony, Ella Reed, Emily Clift, AJ Berberich, Gianna Ruppel.

• History: Third IESA state championship in school history and second in a row in girls basketball. The eighth-grade team also won this season.

Washington St. Patrick

• Record: 26-0

• How they won: Defeated Sigel St. Michael's 38-30 to win the eighth-grade Class 1A state championship at Clinton Junior High School on Dec. 14, 2023.

• Roster: Kate McDougall, Emma Draeger, Grace Johannsen, Grace Ruppel, Miranda Windsor, Lilia Blankenship, Hayden Cadwalader, Ashlyn Crowley, Ava Ritter, Lily Larrison, Ella Reed, Emily Clift, AJ Berberich, Petra Chiras, Ann Tenuta.

• History: Fourth IESA state championship in school history and third overall in girls basketball. The seventh-grade team also won this season.

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Havana Junior High

• Record: 28-1

• How they won: Defeated Liberty 36-25 to win the eighth-grade Class 2A state championship at Havana High School on Dec. 14, 2023.

• Roster: Jenna Brooks, Addisyn Wherley, Marley Smith, Olivia Duncan, Jordyn Markley, Ava Kramer, Maggie French, Madolyn Howerter, Evylen Smith, Natalie Arthalony, Lila Dye.

• History: Seventh IESA state championship in school history and sixth in girls basketball, including the seventh-grade title last season.

Dunlap Middle School

• Record: 25-5

• How they won: Defeated Mount Zion 41-34 to win the eighth-grade Class 4A state championship at Normal Parkside Junior High on Dec. 14, 2023.

• Roster: Addie Kearns, Annie Stigall, Ava Brooks, Mikaela Montano, Keyaira Haywood, Brynn Riekena, Addie Reed, Ryleigh Hopwood, Mikayla Buss, Harshita Ravipati, Tanisha Dhuppad, Liliana Albaro, Sarah Syed.

• History: The 12th IESA state championship for the school and first in girls basketball.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IESA basketball: List of state champions from Peoria area in 2023-24