IHSA Boys and Girls Basketball Christmas Break Recap

Image courtesy of Patrick Cunningham on X

NORMAL, Ill.- The 2025-2026 IHSA basketball season has been a great one, and we are back from Christmas break to tell you all about it!

Girls Basketball

Normal Community has had a season full of ups and downs. After a slow start of 1-5, the Iron have gotten back to a winning way, currently holding a record of 9-11. In their last two games they lost one and won one. On January 9, they defeated Urbana 54-26. Then the next day on January 10, they fell to O’Fallon 55-35. The Iron’s next matchup is against Centennial High School on Tuesday, January 13, at 6 p.m.

UHigh is another team that has had a rollercoaster of a season, with a record of 9-10. The Pioneers began the season 4-2, but have had their share of troubles as the season has gone on. In their last two games, they are 1-1, with the second game being the win to snap their 5 game losing streak. On Tuesday, January 6, they lost to Pontiac 49-39. But later that week they bounced back against Springfield Southeast in a 47-40 victory. The Pioneers next game is Wednesday January 14 against MacArthur at 7 p.m.

Central Catholic hasn’t played as well as they had hoped, but have seen some success with a record of 8-7. The Saints started the season with a record of 2-3. In their last two games, they are 1-1. On Tuesday, December 30, they lost in the State Farm Tournament 61-55. On Friday, January 9, they defeated Rantoul 75-52. The Saints next game is Monday, January 12 against Mahomet-Seymour, and they play again on Tuesday, January 13 against St. Joseph at 7 p.m.

Bloomington has had a rough start to this season, with a record of 5-12. The Purple Raiders started the year off slow with a record of 1-5. They have battled all season long and are looking to strike gold in the upcoming games on their schedule. In their last two games they went 1-1. On Wednesday, January 7, they defeated Decatur Eisenhower 63-43. Then on Friday, January 9, lost to Manual in a close one 51-49. The Purple Raiders next game is on Tuesday, January 13 against Richwoods at 5:30 p.m.

Normal West has had a great year this season, with a record of 14-5. The Wildcats started the season with an 8 game win streak to get to a record of 8-1. In their last two games they are 2-0. On Tuesday, January 6, they defeated Monticello 41-30. Then on Friday, January 9, they took down Centennial 51-38. The Wildcats next game is on Tuesday, January 13 against Champaign Central at 5:30 p.m.

Boys Basketball

Normal Community has had a specular run this season, with a record of 13-2. The Ironmen started off the season hot with a 7 game win streak to start the year. In their last two games have been wins. On Tuesday, January 6, they defeated United Township 67-57. Then later that week, they beat Urbana 73-62. The Ironman’s next game is against Centennial on Tuesday, January 13 at 7:30 p.m.

UHigh has found a lot success this season, with a record of 12-4. The Pioneers started off the season with a record of 4-1, and have done their best to keep up the winning all season long. In the last two games they are 2-0. On Tuesday, January 6, they dominated Lanphier 49-22. Then on Friday, January 9, they again dominated against Jacksonville 54-25. The Pioneers next game is Tuesday, January 13 against Decatur Eisenhower at 3:30 p.m.

Central Catholic has had a season of back and forth wins and losses, with a record of 7-6. The Saints started the season with a record of 2-3, and continued that trend throughout the season. In their last two games, they have gone 1-1. On Friday, January 9, they defeated St. Anthony in a close one 62-59. On Saturday, January 10, they fell to Chicago Hope Academy in another close game, 74-71. The Saints next game is Tuesday, January 13, against Clinton Community at 7:30 p.m.

Bloomington did not have the start they were hoping for, with a record of 6-11. The Purple Raiders started off the season 2-3, and have struggled more than they would like as the season has gone on. In their last two games, they are 0-2. On Friday, January 9, they lost to Manual 78-65. Then on the following day Saturday, January 10, they lost to Springfield Southeast, 60-53. The Purple Raiders next game is Tuesday, January 13, against Richwoods at 7 p.m.

Normal West has had a very tough go of it this season, with a record of 2-14. The Wildcats started the season with a 12 game losing streak, but have picked up two wins recently. Their first win was December 29 against Joliet Central, 45-39. Then in their most recent game on Friday, January 9, they defeated Centennial 65-56. The Wildcats next game is Tuesday, January 13 against Champaign Central at 7:00 p.m.

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