IHSA Board Selects Two State Final Host Sites, Announces Basketball Shot Clock Timeline & State Final Schedule Changes

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors met for its regularly scheduled meeting at the IHSA office in Bloomington on Monday, June 10, 2024, where the Board made decisions on two state final sites and approved the addition of the shot clock in the sport of basketball beginning in 2026-27, while also adjusting the state final schedule for America’s Original March Madness.

BASS FISHING STATE FINALS MOVE TO LAKE SHELBYVILLE
The IHSA Bass Fishing State Finals will be contested at Lake Shelbyville in Shelbyville beginning in 2025. The host bid was prepared and supported by Shelbyville High School, the city of Shelbyville, Lake Shelbyville, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who oversee Lake Shelbyville, and several local community chambers of commerce. The five-year hosting commitment will encompass the State Finals in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029.

“We are excited to start a new chapter as the IHSA Bass Fishing State Finals transition to Lake Shelbyville in 2025,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “We enjoyed our 15 years at Carlyle Lake and appreciate all that the Carlyle Lake staff and surrounding communities did to support the tourney and help it thrive. Lake Shelbyville is an equally worthy lake and we look forward to providing a first-class experience to our anglers there. We also need to thank the U.S. Army Corps. Of Engineers, who oversee both Lake Shelbyville and Carlyle Lake, as their efforts to prepare and keep our students safe make them vital to the state tournament experience.”

The IHSA became the first high school state association in the country to hold a high school bass fishing state championship when the inaugural IHSA State Finals were held in 2009 at Lake Carlyle.

“We are thrilled that Lake Shelbyville has been selected as the future host of the IHSA Bass Fishing State Finals,” said Shelbyville Mayor Jeff Johnson. “Bass fishing is such a wonderful activity for our high school youth and an honor for all the participants. We look forward to working together to make it an exciting event for everyone.”

WILLOWBROOK TO HOST INAUGURAL GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL STATE FINALS
Willowbrook High School in Villa Park will serve as the host of the inaugural IHSA Girls Flag Football State Finals in the fall of 2024. The three-year hosting contract will debut on Friday and Saturday, October 18-19, and then return to Willowbrook High School for the 2025 and 2026 state finals.

“The Willowbrook High School team, coaching staff, and administration have been a model program in girls flag football in the state, so it seems fitting that they will serve as the host of the inaugural state finals,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “We appreciate their passion for the sport and are excited to work together to create lifelong memories for our participating schools.”

In February, the IHSA announced at Halas Hall in Lake Forest that Girls Flag Football would become the 32nd sport to contest an IHSA State Series.

“As one of the pioneers of girls flag football in Illinois, we are thrilled to host the first IHSA State Championship at Willowbrook High School,” said Rachel Karos, Willowbrook Girls Flag Football Head Coach. “We are proud to be part of growing girls flag football in Illinois, throughout the U.S. and internationally. Through the support of the IHSA and the Chicago Bears, girls flag football creates tremendous opportunities for a diverse group of students – including engaging them with athletics, providing once-in-a-lifetime experiences and connecting them to scholarships. The inaugural IHSA State Championship will be a historic event to continue to drive the sport forward and inspire the next generation. We are excited to provide an experience that promotes inclusion, access, diversity and equity for female athletes in Illinois.”

Prior to the IHSA starting a State Series, the Chicago Bears hosted a girls flag football state championship tournament, which Willowbrook won in 2022.

SHOT CLOCK COMING TO IHSA BASKETBALL IN 2026-27; STATE FINAL SCHEDULE UPDATED
The IHSA Board of Directors approved two recommendations brought forth by the IHSA Basketball advisory committee.

A 35-second shot clock will be required for usage in varsity girls and boys basketball games beginning with the 2026-27 school year. Use of the shot clock for lower-level (freshman, sophomore, junior varsity) contests will be determined by conferences and via mutual agreement by competing teams in non-conference games.

“The IHSA has allowed the shot clock to be used in tournaments and shootouts the past two seasons, and the overwhelming feedback we have received from coaches is that it is time to embrace the shot clock in all varsity contests,” said IHSA Executive Director. “We believe the two-season lead time will provide our schools with ample opportunity to install the shot clocks and get comfortable with them from both a coaching and game administration perspective.”

Additionally, the committee recommended a new state final time schedule that will ensure a two-day experience for all participating teams.

“It’s been fairly unanimous in the Illinois high school basketball community that moving the state tournament to a single-weekend format has been a success,” said Anderson. “Our coaches believe this new schedule will provide an even better experience for all the student-athletes, coaches, and fans. We look forward to seeing it play out when we celebrate America’s Original March Madness next winter.”