Community (28-6) will face Quincy (30-3) Friday at 7 p.m. in a rematch of last year’s IHSA 4A Sectional Championship at Collinsville High School.

Though the teams’ postseason history only dates back to 2022, the rivarly has offered plenty of excitement.

That year, the Blue Devils ended the Ironmen’s near-perfect season in dramatic fashion. The Ironmen trailed by 22 points (45-23) with under six minutes remaining but staged a furious comeback, cutting the deficit to 54-51 and gaining possession with less than 10 seconds left. However, they fell short, ultimately losing by five. Their rally fell short, and the Blue Devils secured the sectional title with a five-point win.

Last year, Community got its revenge, eliminating the Blue Devils 44-43 on a buzzer-beating dunk.

Before 2022, the teams hadn’t met since 2009. Now, they square off for the third time in four years, with a super sectional berth on the line.

Both squads enter Friday’s contest after dominant sectional semifinal wins. Quincy cruised past Alton (26-7) by 23 points, while Community avenged a regular-season loss to Rock Island (28-6) with a 10-point victory.

Scouting the Blue Devils

Quincy returns four of seven players from last season’s sectional final, including three-star guard Bradley Longcor III, a Santa Clara commit. Longcor led the Blue Devils in last year’s matchup with 15 points and five steals.

Austin Peay commit Dom Clay, a 6-foot-3 guard, and Drury commit KeShaun Thomas, a 6-foot-6 forward, also return. Thomas posted 12 points, five rebounds, and three steals in last year’s game.

Quincy’s lone in-state loss came to Rock Island—a team they had previously beaten—while their two other losses were to nationally ranked opponents, Vashon and Bishop O’Connell. The Blue Devils claimed the Western Big Six Conference title with a 13-1 record.

Ironmen’s new-look lineup

While Quincy brings back several key contributors from last season’s battle, they’ll face an unfamiliar Ironmen squad. Community lost all five starters from last year’s team, forcing the Blue Devils to adjust to a lineup they’ve never faced.

Kobe Walker, one of just two Ironmen who saw action in last year’s sectional final, has emerged as the team’s leader, averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds per game.

Connor Smith, who also took the court against Quincy last season, adds seven points per contest and delivered a clutch shooting performance in Tuesday’s win over Rock Island.

The Ironmen will look for another big night from junior guard Trey Birditt, who caught fire in the sectional semifinal, pouring in 21 points against the Rocks. With Birditt heating up at the right time, Community hopes his hot hand carries over into Friday’s showdown.

Both teams enter the matchup in strong form—Community having won 15 of its last 17 contests, while Quincy has taken 11 of its last 12.

The winner will advance to Monday’s Super Sectional at ISU’s CEFCU Arena, facing the winner of Downers Grove North (23-8) and Lisle Benet Academy (26-5).

A free fan bus to Collinsville, made possible by a generous donation, will depart from Community’s main entrance at 4 p.m. Students can reserve a spot by signing up in the Athletic Director’s Office (room 74). Those who ride the bus will receive free admission to the game.