Ironmen clinch fifth straight regional title, set for rematch with Rock Island in sectional semifinal

Zachary Knox-Doyle, Sports Editor

Mar 4, 2025

The Ironmen celebrate their historic fifth consecutive regional title after defeating Minooka 51-38. Now they look to avenge their first loss of the season when they face Rock Island in a rematch in the sectional semis. Photo Courtesy of: Mr. Jeff Christopherson

Community, for the first time in program history, secured a fifth consecutive regional championship, defeating Minooka 51-38 on Friday night.

The Ironmen (27-6) advance to the IHSA 4A Collinsville Sectional Semifinal, where they will face Rock Island (28-5) at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Pekin High School.

The matchup marks a rematch of Community’s first loss of the season, falling 57-48 to the Rocks in mid-December.

In that game, Rock Island overcame a two-point halftime deficit and held the Ironmen to just 3-of-17 shooting from beyond the arc. Community has since improved from long range, shooting 36% from three since the early-season meeting.

Rock Island found success inside in the December contest, outscoring the Ironmen 36-30 in the paint—a rare feat against a Community squad that typically holds a 32-17 scoring margin down low.

Junior guard Lawson Zulu led the Rocks’ inside attack with 19 points—14 in the paint—while adding four rebounds and four assists.

Community countered with a balanced scoring effort, as Marcus Russell (13), Connor Smith (12) and Kobe Walker (11) all reached double figures. Walker, who averages 19 points per game, was held well below his season mark.

The Ironmen will be without Russell in Tuesday’s sectional semifinal after the senior guard suffered an injury in the regional championship.

Rock Island enters the matchup having won seven of its last eight games, including a three-point regional title victory over Moline (25-8) and a statement win against third-ranked 4A Quincy (29-3). The winner of Tuesday’s semifinal will advance to the sectional championship to face either Quincy or Alton (26-6).

Tickets for the sectional semifinal must be purchased online.

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