Boys, girls top seeds in State Farm Holiday Classic

Jeffery Woodard, Senior Staff Reporter • Dec 15, 2023

The brackets for the 44th annual State Farm Holiday Classic were released Dec. 7 with both Community teams recieving the top seed. This year’s event will be held Dec. 27-30 at four venues across Bloomington-Normal — Illinois Wesleyan University’s Shirk Center, Bloomington High School, Normal Community High School and Normal West High School. Image Courtesy of: State Farm Holiday Classic

Community’s boys and girls basketball teams were announced as the top seeds in 44th annual State Farm Holiday Classic Large Schools division when brackets were released on Dec. 7.

The tournament tips off Dec. 27, with play running through Dec. 30 at venues across Bloomington-Normal.

In the boys division, the Ironmen claimed the #1 seed with 13 out of 16 votes from participating head coaches, statewide media and organizing committee members.

The boys are looking for their first Holiday Classic Title since 2021 when they open up play Dec. 27 against the Warhawks of North Chicago (1-7).

The 16-team bracket features 11 teams with a .500 record or better as of Dec. 14, with the Iron as the lone team with an undefeated record.

Head coach Mr. Dave Witzig enters this year’s Classic atop the tournament record board. Witzig has lead the Iron to 61 victories in the annual event.

The boys will take the floor at the Illinois Wesleyan Shirk Center Dec 27. At 5 p.m, taking on the 1-7 Warhawks of North Chicago.

The girls team looks to defend last season’s State Farm Championship title after securing the #1 seed with seven votes.

Last year, the girls defeated the Washington Panthers 47-32 to earn the program’s first title since 2003.

The team will look for a third Holiday Classic Championship when they tip off tournament play against the 7-5 Rochester Rockets Dec. 27 at Bloomington High School at 3 p.m.

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About the Contributor

Jeffery Woodard, Senior Staff Reporter

Jeffery Woodard is a senior at Normal Community High School and is involved in track & field. This is his third year working with the Inkspot, and he is a senior staff reporter. On the weekends, I enjoy hanging out with friends and going to the gym. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies of all sorts. My favorite film is "Black Panther."