IHSA Boys and Girls Basketball Week 1

NORMAL, Ill. -The 2025-2026 IHSA basketball season is here! The teams here in Bloomington/Normal are ready to roll.

Girls Basketball

Normal Community is coming off an impressive season, finishing with a record of 27-7. The Iron look to produce similar or even stronger results this season with head coach David Feeney at the helm. Their first game is against Normal West on Nov. 22 at 6:30 p.m.

UHigh has high hopes this season after struggling last year with a 10-21 record. The Pioneers’ first game is on the road Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. against Urbana.

Central Catholic is riding high after a 24-9 record last season. Head coach Debbie Coffman and the Saints hope to improve this year. Their first game is at home against Lincoln on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m.

The Bloomington Purple Raiders did not have their strongest season last year, finishing with a 15-12 record. But they are looking for a fresh start behind the leadership of head coach Christiana Mables. The Purple Raiders’ first game is on the road against Dunlap on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m.

Normal West is set to tip off another season Monday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. against Pleasant Plains. The Wildcats struggled last year with a 10-19 record but look to bounce back in a big way starting against Pleasant Plains.

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Boys Basketball

Normal Community had an impressive season last year, finishing with an overall record of 28-7 and a 10-0 mark in conference play. Their season ended in a heartbreaking overtime loss to Quincy, 61-54. This year, the Ironmen look to start strong against Normal West on Nov. 24 at 6:30 p.m.

UHigh finished just above .500 last season with a 17-16 record. The Pioneers enter this season hoping to improve in a big way. Their first game is against Bloomington on Nov. 24 at 8 p.m.

Central Catholic suffered a crushing 40-39 loss to end last season. The Saints finished with a 22-12 record, including an 8-1 mark in conference play. Head coach Jason Welch and his team look to redeem themselves in their season opener on Nov. 26 at 4 p.m. against the Bloomington Purple Raiders.

The Bloomington Purple Raiders and head coach Michael Mosley will face Normal University on Nov. 24 at 8 p.m. Bloomington struggled last season, finishing 2-27, but the Raiders are hoping for a major turnaround — starting with their matchup against the Pioneers.

Normal West also struggled last season, finishing with a 7-21 record. The Wildcats hope to prove themselves as contenders this season. Their first game is Nov. 24 at 6:30 p.m. against the Normal Community Ironmen.

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