IHSA Boys and Girls Basketball Thanksgiving Break Recap

Image courtesy of Patrick Cunningham on X.

NORMAL, Ill.-Over the Thanksgiving break, the IHSA basketball teams in Bloomington/Normal saw a lot of action.

Girls Basketball

Normal Community had 4 games, where they started the season 1-3. The Iron played Normal West on November 22nd and lost 48-30. Their second game of the season was an overtime thriller against Bloomington High School, where they won 60-59. In the third game vs UHigh, the Iron lost 43-19. Finally, they lost 51-43 to Central Catholic on November 28th.

UHigh had a very busy start to the season, with a record of 3-2. The Pioneers first game was against Urbana where they dominated 59-28. The second game was more of the same, as the Pioneers defeated Central Catholic 40-29. In their third game their will was finally tested, losing to Bloomington 49-46. The Pioneers bounced back in game four, defeating Normal Community 43-19. In their fifth game, the Pioneers got their second loss against Normal West, 51-39.

Central Catholic had a roller coaster start to the season, with a record of 2-3. The Saints lost game one to Lincoln 51-41. The next game  vs UHigh was another loss 38-29. Game three was a tight loss to Normal West 47-44. But, the Saints finally saw some light in their fourth game defeating Bloomington 51-28. They finished their turkey trot on another high note, defeating Normal Community 51-43.

Bloomington had a rough start to the season, with a 1-4 record. In game one, the Purple Raiders fell to Dunlap 68-33. In their next game, they lost 55-15 against Normal West. But the Purple Raiders finally got in the win column against UHigh, where they won 49-46. Game four was another loss against Normal Community in overtime, 60-59. In game five, the Purple Raiders fell to Central Catholic 51-28.

Normal West had a hot start to the 2025-2026 campaign, with a record of 5-1. The Wildcats first game was a loss to Pleasant Plains 60-41. After that it was smooth sailing. Game two was a win against Yorkville Christian 47-34. In the next game, the Wildcats defeated Bloomington 55-15. Game four was another area win against Normal Community 48-30. Game five the Wildcats took down Central Catholic in a close one 47-44. Finally to top it all off, they took down UHigh 51-39.

Boys Basketball

Normal Community had a great start to the season, starting 3-0. The Ironmen defeated Normal West in game one 67-39. In the second game they took down UHigh 69-50. For the third game of the season, the Ironmen defeated Central Catholic 83-63.

UHigh started the season off strong with a 3-1 record. The Pioneers defeated Bloomington 52-47 in their first game. In game two, they fell to Normal Community 69-50. Game three was a huge bounce back win against Normal West, 62-44. In their fourth game, the Pioneers defeated Central Catholic in a thriller 79-76.

Central Catholic only had two games over the long break, dropping both to start with an 0-2 record. The Saints first game was against Bloomington, where they fell 66-46. In game two they fell to Normal Community 83-65.

Bloomington started their season with a 1-1 record. The Purple Raiders first game was a loss to Bloomington 52-47. But Bloomington bounced back in game two against Central Catholic with a 66-46 win.

Normal West has had a slow start to the season, with a record of 0-2. The Wildcats fell to the Normal Community Ironmen in game one 67-39. Their second game against UHigh was more of the same, resulting in a 62-44 loss.

To stay up to date on IHSA boys and girls basketball, follow along on wznd.com.