Play It Again Sports Roundup: Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 - Belleville East Advances, McGivney Girls Lose Sectional Bid

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS ROUNDUP

GIRLS BASKETBALL

IHSA PLAYOFFS - SECTIONAL FINALS/SWEET SIXTEEN

CLASS 2A

PLEASANT PLAINS 57, FATHER MCGIVNEY CATHOLIC 23: In the Virden North Mac Sectional final, Pleasant Plains raced out to a 28-5 lead after the first quarter, then led at halftime 35-11 en route to the win over McGivney to advance to Monday's super-sectional Elite Eight game.

Bristol Ellis led the Griffins with eight points, while Elle Willenborg had seven points, Zoe Oller scored four points, and both Peyton Ellis and Sofia Rossetto scored two points each.

The Cardinals are now 29-2, and advance to Monday's quarterfinal against Downs Tri-Valley, who won the Macomb sectional over Hamilton 40-39, at home in a 7 p.m. tip. McGivney ends its highly successful season 28-7.

CLASS 4A

In the sectional final at Peoria Richwoods, Belleville East led wire-to-wire to win over the host Knights 58-48, and advance to the Illinois Wesleyan University super-sectional Elite Eight game Monday night.

The Lancers are now 27-5, continuing their remarkable turnaround, and play Homewood-Flossmoor, who won the Chicago Mother McAuley Catholic sectional on Thursday over Chicago Marist Catholic 58-48, Monday night at 7 p.m. Richwoods ends their season at 24-5.

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