Middle School Basketball Championships Returns to Champaign-Urbana
Champaign, IL—The Champaign-Urbana area will host the Illinois Middle School Basketball Championships for the second time this March 17–19, 2023. 130 boys and girls’ teams representing 4th–8th grade will compete for the championship at University of Illinois Campus Recreation’s Activities & Recreation Center (ARC), the Champaign Park District’s Leonhard Center, St. Thomas More High School, St. Matthew’s Middle School in Champaign, St. Matthew Catholic School in Philo.
“We are excited to be in Champaign-Urbana for our 5th annual state tournament,” states Bill Reinking, Executive Director of the State Basketball Championship. “With games played at the University of Illinois Activities and Recreation Center, the Leonhard Recreation Center, and several local schools, the event will again provide our basketball families with a one-of-a-kind experience. The Champaign County region is the perfect location as it allows for convenient travel for the hundreds of youth teams from Rockford, Chicago Metro, Springfield, Carbondale, and all points in between.”
“It’s exciting to continue to showcase up-and-coming basketball athletes at the Middle School Basketball Championships,” explains Mike Koon, Director of Sports, Events, and Film with Visit Champaign County. “Basketball has a special place in our community, and we’re honored to continue to welcome athletes and their fans to provide them a top-notch experience during the championships.”
Koon estimates that the economic impact for the event will be $2.1 million.
All 7th and 8th grade boys teams will compete at the Leonhard Center, St. Thomas More, and the two St. Matthew Schools with all remaining games taking place on nine courts at the ARC.. The full schedule can be found on the website at https://www.statebasketballchampionship.com/illinois.
Spectators can purchase single day tickets for $10–$12 or 3-day passes for $22–$27. Tickets can be purchased online athttps://www.statebasketballchampionship.com/il-buy-tickets. All games streamed live via BallerTV:https://www.ballertv.com/events/illinois-state-basketball-championships
