The Morton Lady Potters return to the State Farm Holiday Classic (SFHC) for the 13th straight year.  This will be the first time they will be returning as Defending SFHC Champions (2017).  The Potters were Runner-up 3 times (2006, 2014 & 2016), finished 3rd in 2013 and 4th 3 times (2007, 2008 & 2011).  The Lady Potters are 30-18 all-time in SFHC tournament play.

Over the past 12 years, the SFHC has been one of the most competitive and best run high school hoops tournaments anywhere and it has served like a ‘sharpening stone’ that has honed many of the great Lady Potter teams of the past.  Expect this year’s Large School Girls Bracket at the SFHC to be a grinder like none we have ever seen before.  Eight of the 16 teams are State ranked in Illinois by the AP in Class 3A & 4A:

Peoria Richwoods (14-0 AP Ranked #1 in Class 3A)

Morton Lady Potters  (11-1 AP Ranked #4 in Class 3A)

Rock Island (8-0 AP Ranked #4 in Class 4A)

Bethalto Civic Memorial (12-0 AP Ranked #5 in Class 3A)

Geneseo Maple Leafs (11-0  AP Ranked #7 in Class 3A)

Normal Community (9-5 AP Ranked #10 in Class 4A)

Normal West (9-3 AP Ranked #11 in Class 4A)

Kenwood (10-3 AP Ranked #14 in Class 4A)

and the field also includes the Union – Ryle, KY (9-0 #1 Ranked team in Kentucky), which has some national High Major D1 talent.  Look for Chicago Simeon (10-4) to make a move into the AP Class 4A rankings as well as they have posted some very good wins so far.

So those 10 teams in the SFHC LSG Bracket have a composite record of 103-16 through today.  That is pretty darn impressive and should help this 40th Anniversary of the State Farm Holiday Classic be one of the strongest ever.   There are many things that make the State Farm Holiday Classic one of the best holiday hoops tournaments in the country.

The Competition: 2018 Large School Girls Bracket

The Teams: 2018 State Farm Holiday Classic Teams

The Pairings: 2018 State Farm Holiday Classic Pairings

The History & Tradition: History of the Classic

The Venues: 2018 SFHC Venues

The Tournament Website: TheClassic.org

And about everything from the Tournament programs to the popcorn are the best you will find anywhere!  So get ready to soak up some great High School Holiday Hoops and come out to support your Morton Lady Potters!!!