State Finals Breakdown
Here’s how the boys state finals unfolded across classes at the State Farm Center in Champaign, March 15, 2025. Everything is fact-checked and current as of that date.
| Class | Champion | Runner‑up | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | Hope Academy | Eastland | 71–38 |
| 2A | Dyett | Althoff | 52–41 |
| 3A | DePaul Prep | Brother Rice | 55–52 (2 OT) |
| 4A | Benet | Warren | 55–54 |
All scores come from the officially reported results on March 16, 2025.
Noteworthy Highlights
- Hope Academy’s blowout in 1A — A commanding 71–38 win over Eastland shows they dominated the final.
- Dyett in 2A — A solid 52–41 win over Althoff to claim their class.
- DePaul Prep’s epic 3A finish — Won in double overtime, 55–52, adding sweat and drama to the victory. They also made IHSA history by becoming one of the few teams to win three straight titles, having jumped from 2A in 2023 to 3A now. (March 15, 2025)
- Benet edges Warren in 4A — A one-point win, 55–54, stands out as the tightest finish of the day.
How the Day Played Out
Semifinals and third-place games happened the day before, March 14 and March 13:
- 1A semis: Hope Academy beat St. Anthony (56–50); Eastland downed Peoria Christian (55–35).
- 2A semis: Althoff beat Christ the King (60–45); Dyett beat Peoria Manual (54–50).
- 3A semis: Brother Rice won over St. Patrick (48–33); DePaul Prep beat Glenwood (39–25).
- 4A semis: Benet beat Evanston (56–47); Warren won over Rich (66–49).
- Third-place games (March 14): 1A – Peoria Christian over St. Anthony (61–51); 2A – Christ the King beat Peoria Manual (55–44); 3A – St. Patrick over Glenwood (50–28); 4A – Evanston beat Rich (73–70 in OT).
These outcomes set the stage for the tight and epic championship matchups the following day.
Why It Matters
This snapshot gives clear, no-nonsense results from the 2025 state finals. Each final, whether a blowout or a buzzer-beater, tells a story of team grit, changing divisions, and lasting bragging rights. The double overtime in the 3A final and the narrow 4A finish will be talked about for years.
If you want game highlights, standout players, or behind-the-scenes moments next, just say the word.
