The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has announced the finalists for its second annual Student Section Showdown, with the winners to be announced at America’s Original March Madness, the upcoming IHSA Boys Basketball State Finals at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria.

The IHSA Student Section Showdown was an idea born from the IHSA Student Advisory Committee (SAC) that pits student sections from the around the state against one another to see who has the best spirit and sportsmanship (see rules). Schools had until February 2, 2016 to submit a video (up to three minutes) that showcased their student section in action during a game, as well as the impact the student section has on sportsmanship and school spirit. The inaugural winners in 2014-15 were Central A&M High School in Class 1A/2A and Prospect High School in Class 3A/4A.

The finalists in 2015-16 include:
Class 1A/2A
-Breese Central
-Dwight
-Frankfort
-Olympia

Class 3A/4A
-Edwardsville
-Lincoln-Way West
-Ottawa
-Prospect

Representatives from each of the Class 1A/2A finalists will be present at the Peoria Civic Center on Saturday, March 12, with the winner announced on the court at the end of the first quarter of the Class 1A State Championship game. One week later on Saturday, March 19, the Class 3A/4A winner will be named following the first quarter of the Class 3A title game.

Finalist videos are posted below or click links for all entries (Class 1A/2A entries, Class 3A/4A entries)

1A/2A - BREESE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL


1A/2A - DWIGHT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL


1A/2A - FRANKFORT COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL


1A/2A - OLYMPIA HIGH SCHOOL

3A/4A - EDWARDSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL


3A/4A - LINCOLN-WAY WEST


3A/4A - OTTAWA HIGH SCHOOL


3A/4A - PROSPECT HIGH SCHOOL UNDERGROUND