The blind drawing that determines the state final pairings in bracketed team sports was held at the IHSA Office on Tuesday, April 10. This drawing covered the spring sports of boys water polo, girls water polo, boys volleyball, girls lacrosse, boys lacrosse, girls soccer, girls softball, and boys baseball.
Aaron Ferguson, sportswriter for the Peoria Journal-Star, made the drawings. Since at least 1940, IHSA pairings have been made by ordering the sites that feed into the state finals in alphabetical order and numbering them from 1 to 4 (or 1 to 8). Then numbered peas are drawn from a bottle. The number on the first pea drawn represents the site whose winner will occupy the first position on the bracket, and so on. For more on the history of the "Rolling of the Peas", click here.
Girls Water Polo
Starting lineup:
Pea #1 represents winner of Aurora (Metea Valley) Sectional
Pea #2 represents winner of Buffalo Grove Sectional
Pea #3 represents winner of Chicago (St. Ignatius College Prep) Sectional
Pea #4 represents winner of Elmhurst (York) Sectional
Pea #5 represents winner of Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) Sectional
Pea #6 represents winner of Glenview (Glenbrook South) Sectional
Pea #7 represents winner of LaGrange (Lyons) Sectional
Pea #8 represents winner of Schaumburg (H.S.) Sectional
Bracket drawing:
Quarterfinal bracket position #1: pea #5, Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #2: pea #1, Aurora (Metea Valley) Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #3: pea #2, Buffalo Grove Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #4: pea #7, LaGrange (Lyons) Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #5: pea #4, Elmhurst (York) Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #6: pea #3, Chicago (St. Ignatius College Prep) Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #7: pea #8, Schaumburg (H.S.) Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #8: pea #6, Glenview (Glenbrook South) Sectional
Boys Water Polo
Starting lineup:
Pea #1 represents winner of Aurora (Metea Valley) Sectional
Pea #2 represents winner of Buffalo Grove Sectional
Pea #3 represents winner of Chicago (St. Ignatius College Prep) Sectional
Pea #4 represents winner of Elmhurst (York) Sectional
Pea #5 represents winner of Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) Sectional
Pea #6 represents winner of Glenview (Glenbrook South) Sectional
Pea #7 represents winner of LaGrange (Lyons) Sectional
Pea #8 represents winner of Schaumburg (H.S.) Sectional
Bracket drawing:
Quarterfinal bracket position #1: pea #3, Chicago (St. Ignatius College Prep) Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #2: pea #4, Elmhurst (York) Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #3: pea #6, Glenview (Glenbrook South) Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #4: pea #7, LaGrange (Lyons) Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #5: pea #5, Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #6: pea #8, Schaumburg (H.S.) Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #7: pea #2, Buffalo Grove Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #8: pea #1, Aurora (Metea Valley) Sectional
Boys Volleyball
Starting lineup:
Pea #1 represents winner of Addison (A. Trail) Sectional
Pea #2 represents winner of Aurora (Illinois Math and Science Academy) Sectional
Pea #3 represents winner of Chicago (Brother Rice) Sectional
Pea #4 represents winner of Chicago (Mt. Carmel) Sectional
Pea #5 represents winner of Chicago (St. Patrick) Sectional
Pea #6 represents winner of Fox Lake (Grant) Sectional
Pea #7 represents winner of Glenview (Glenbrook South) Sectional
Pea #8 represents winner of Minooka Sectional
Bracket drawing:
Quarterfinal bracket position #1: pea #1, Addison (A. Trail) Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #2: pea #6, Fox Lake (Grant) Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #3: pea #2, Aurora (Illinois Math and Science Academy) Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #4: pea #8, Minooka Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #5: pea #3, Chicago (Brother Rice) Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #6: pea #5, Chicago (St. Patrick) Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #7: pea #4, Chicago (Mt. Carmel) Sectional
Quarterfinal bracket position #8: pea #7, Glenview (Glenbrook South) Sectional
Girls Lacrosse
Starting lineup:
Pea #1 represents winner of Chicago (Lane Stadium) Super-Sectional
Pea #2 represents winner of Downers Grove (South) Super-Sectional
Pea #3 represents winner of Hoffman Estates (H.S.) Super-Sectional
Pea #4 represents winner of Lake Forest (H.S.) Super-Sectional
Bracket drawing:
Semifinal bracket position #1: pea #2, Downers Grove (South) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #2: pea #1, Chicago (Lane Stadium) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #3: pea #4, Lake Forest (H.S.) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #4: pea #3, Hoffman Estates (H.S.) Super-Sectional
Boys Lacrosse
Starting lineup:
Pea #1 represents winner of Chicago (Lane Stadium) Super-Sectional
Pea #2 represents winner of Downers Grove (South) Super-Sectional
Pea #3 represents winner of Hoffman Estates (H.S.) Super-Sectional
Pea #4 represents winner of Lake Forest (H.S.) Super-Sectional
Bracket drawing:
Semifinal bracket position #1: pea #1, Chicago (Lane Stadium) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #2: pea #3, Hoffman Estates (H.S.) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #3: pea #2, Downers Grove (South) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #4: pea #4, Lake Forest (H.S.) Super-Sectional
Girls Class 1A Soccer
Starting lineup:
Pea #1 represents winner of Columbia Super-Sectional
Pea #2 represents winner of Lisle (Benedictine University) Super-Sectional
Pea #3 represents winner of Oglesby (Illinois Valley Community College) Super-Sectional
Pea #4 represents winner of River Forest (Concordia University) Super-Sectional
Bracket drawing:
Semifinal bracket position #1: pea #3, Oglesby (Illinois Valley Community College) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #2: pea #1, Columbia Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #3: pea #4, River Forest (Concordia University) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #4: pea #2, Lisle (Benedictine University) Super-Sectional
Girls Class 2A Soccer
Starting lineup:
Pea #1 represents winner of Darien (Hinsdale South) Super-Sectional
Pea #2 represents winner of Peoria (Notre Dame) Super-Sectional
Pea #3 represents winner of Rochester Super-Sectional
Pea #4 represents winner of Streamwood Super-Sectional
Bracket drawing:
Semifinal bracket position #1: pea #1, Darien (Hinsdale South) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #2: pea #2, Peoria (Notre Dame) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #3: pea #4, Streamwood Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #4: pea #3, Rochester Super-Sectional
Girls Class 3A Soccer
Starting lineup:
Pea #1 represents winner of Barrington Super-Sectional
Pea #2 represents winner of Evanston (Twp.) Super-Sectional
Pea #3 represents winner of Romeoville (Lewis University) Super-Sectional
Pea #4 represents winner of Tinley Park (Andrew) Super-Sectional
Bracket drawing:
Semifinal bracket position #1: pea #3, Romeoville (Lewis University) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #2: pea #1, Barrington Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #3: pea #2, Evanston (Twp.) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #4: pea #4, Tinley Park (Andrew) Super-Sectional
Girls Class 1A Softball
Starting lineup:
Pea #1 represents winner of Bloomington (Illinois Wesleyan U.) Super-Sectional
Pea #2 represents winner of Johnston City Super-Sectional
Pea #3 represents winner of Springfield (UIS) Super-Sectional
Pea #4 represents winner of Sterling (H.S.) Super-Sectional
Bracket drawing:
Semifinal bracket position #1: pea #4, Sterling (H.S.) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #2: pea #2, Johnston City Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #3: pea #3, Springfield (UIS) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #4: pea #1, Bloomington (Illinois Wesleyan U.) Super-Sectional
Girls Class 2A Softball
Starting lineup:
Pea #1 represents winner of Athens Super-Sectional
Pea #2 represents winner of East Peoria (Illinois Central College) Super-Sectional
Pea #3 represents winner of Johnston City Super-Sectional
Pea #4 represents winner of TBA Super-Sectional
Bracket drawing:
Semifinal bracket position #1: pea #2, East Peoria (Illinois Central College) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #2: pea #3, Johnston City Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #3: pea #1, Athens Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #4: pea #4, TBA Super-Sectional
Girls Class 3A Softball
Starting lineup:
Pea #1 represents winner of Bloomington (Illinois Wesleyan U.) Super-Sectional
Pea #2 represents winner of Maple Park (Kaneland) Super-Sectional
Pea #3 represents winner of Mattoon Super-Sectional
Pea #4 represents winner of Rosemont (Rosemont Stadium) Super-Sectional
Bracket drawing:
Semifinal bracket position #1: pea #1, Bloomington (Illinois Wesleyan U.) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #2: pea #2, Maple Park (Kaneland) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #3: pea #3, Mattoon Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #4: pea #4, Rosemont (Rosemont Stadium) Super-Sectional
Girls Class 4A Softball
Starting lineup:
Pea #1 represents winner of Barrington Super-Sectional
Pea #2 represents winner of Normal (ISU) Super-Sectional
Pea #3 represents winner of TBA Super-Sectional
Pea #4 represents winner of Rosemont (Rosemont Stadium) Super-Sectional
Bracket drawing:
Semifinal bracket position #1: pea #4, Rosemont (Rosemont Stadium) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #2: pea #2, Normal (ISU) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #3: pea #1, Barrington Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #4: pea #3, TBA Super-Sectional
Boys Class 1A Baseball
Starting lineup:
Pea #1 represents winner of Bloomington (Illinois Wesleyan U.) Super-Sectional
Pea #2 represents winner of Carbondale (SIU) Super-Sectional
Pea #3 represents winner of Lisle (Benedictine U.) Super-Sectional
Pea #4 represents winner of Springfield (Lincoln Land C.C.) Super-Sectional
Bracket drawing:
Semifinal bracket position #1: pea #1, Bloomington (Illinois Wesleyan U.) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #2: pea #3, Lisle (Benedictine U.) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #3: pea #4, Springfield (Lincoln Land C.C.) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #4: pea #2, Carbondale (SIU) Super-Sectional
Boys Class 2A Baseball
Starting lineup:
Pea #1 represents winner of Lisle (Benedictine U.) Super-Sectional
Pea #2 represents winner of Rock Island (Augustana College) Super-Sectional
Pea #3 represents winner of Sauget (GCS Park) Super-Sectional
Pea #4 represents winner of Springfield (Lincoln Land C.C.) Super-Sectional
Bracket drawing:
Semifinal bracket position #1: pea #1, Lisle (Benedictine U.) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #2: pea #3, Sauget (GCS Park) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #3: pea #4, Springfield (Lincoln Land C.C.) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #4: pea #2, Rock Island (Augustana College) Super-Sectional
Boys Class 3A Baseball
Starting lineup:
Pea #1 represents winner of Crestwood (Standard Bank Stadium) Super-Sectional
Pea #2 represents winner of Naperville (North Central College) Super-Sectional
Pea #3 represents winner of Rock Island (Augustana College) Super-Sectional
Pea #4 represents winner of Sauget (GCS Park) Super-Sectional
Bracket drawing:
Semifinal bracket position #1: pea #2, Naperville (North Central College) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #2: pea #3, Rock Island (Augustana College) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #3: pea #4, Sauget (GCS Park) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #4: pea #1, Crestwood (Standard Bank Stadium) Super-Sectional
Boys Class 4A Baseball
Starting lineup:
Pea #1 represents winner of Champaign (U of I) Super-Sectional
Pea #2 represents winner of Crestwood (Standard Bank Stadium) Super-Sectional
Pea #3 represents winner of Schaumburg (Boomers Stadium) 1 Super-Sectional
Pea #4 represents winner of Schaumburg (Boomers Stadium) 2 Super-Sectional
Bracket drawing:
Semifinal bracket position #1: pea #4, Schaumburg (Boomers Stadium) 2 Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #2: pea #3, Schaumburg (Boomers Stadium) 1 Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #3: pea #2, Crestwood (Standard Bank Stadium) Super-Sectional
Semifinal bracket position #4: pea #1, Champaign (U of I) Super-Sectional
Sectional Pairings
In all spring sports except water polo, some sectionals are seeded in their entirety ("sectional complexes") and some are seeded in two separate groups ("subsectionals"). The seeds are then distributed among four regionals for the first level of competition. In the sectional semifinals, the regional champions are paired as follows:
Sectional complex: The regional containing the #1 seed is paired with the regional containing the #4 seed, while the regional containing the #2 seed is paired with the regional containing the #3 seed.
Two subsectionals: The regional containing the #1 seed of subsectional A is paired with the regional containing the #2 seed of subsectional B, while the regional containing the #1 seed of subsectional B is paired with the regional containing the #2 seed of subsectional A. An exception to these pairings is made for the southernmost sectional in Class 4A. In these sectionals, the two regional winners from the Metro-East area will play at a local site. The winners of the central Illinois regionals will play their semifinal at another site. The sectional championship game will be played at the sectional site.