High School Basketball's Biggest Stars and Stories of the Season

From dominant teams to breakout players, a look at the top moments and narratives from the 2025-26 campaign

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:09pm

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The 2025-26 high school basketball season in Illinois was filled with standout teams, players, and storylines. Marist won the state championship in the largest class, led by senior forward Charles Barnes. Warren's Jaxson Davis emerged as the state's best player, while Peoria Richwoods' Amarion Smith-Holley had a heroic postseason run. The continued rise of private schools was a major theme, with three making the 4A final four and an all-private title game in the largest class.

Why it matters

High school basketball is a beloved tradition in Illinois, with passionate fan bases and communities rallying around their local teams. Identifying the season's top performers and narratives provides insight into the evolving landscape of the sport at the prep level, from the dominance of certain programs to the emergence of new stars.

The details

Marist capped off an impressive postseason run by winning the 4A state championship, winning their seven playoff games by an average of 20 points. Warren's Jaxson Davis was the state's best player, averaging 25 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game. Peoria Richwoods' Amarion Smith-Holley had a heroic postseason, hitting game-winning shots in the sectional semifinals and finals. The continued rise of private schools was a major storyline, with three making the 4A final four and Marist and Benet playing in the first all-private 4A title game.

  • The high school basketball season concluded in March 2026.
  • Marist won the 4A state championship in the final weeks of the season.

The players

Jaxson Davis

A poised and polished point guard for Warren who averaged 25 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game, blending scoring ability with high-level playmaking.

Amarion Smith-Holley

The sophomore point guard for Peoria Richwoods who put the team on his back during a heroic postseason run, including hitting game-winning shots in the sectional semifinals and finals.

Charles Barnes

A 6-5 senior forward who transferred to Marist and put together an all-state season, helping lead the RedHawks to the 4A state championship.

Mason Martin

A 6-5 junior sharpshooter for Neuqua Valley who had a breakout campaign, averaging 19 points per game and draining 118 three-pointers at a 45% clip.

Amir Tucker

A 6-2 sophomore guard for St. Ignatius who emerged as a clutch performer, averaging 12.1 points per game and draining 62 three-pointers at a 38% rate.

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What they’re saying

“There was no player who put his team on his back and carried it more than the sophomore point guard.”

— Joe Henricksen, Author

“Remember, there was very little overall impact from private schools in basketball for decades in this state. Sure, there was a team here and there that made its presence felt over the years, but the reign of state basketball power, specifically the depth, has shifted dramatically.”

— Joe Henricksen, Author

What’s next

With the 2025-26 season in the books, attention will now turn to the upcoming offseason and the 2026-27 campaign. Top players like Jaxson Davis and Mason Martin will look to build on their breakout years, while private school powers like Marist and Benet will aim to remain among the state's elite.

The takeaway

The 2025-26 high school basketball season in Illinois showcased the continued evolution of the sport, with private schools asserting their dominance, new stars emerging, and teams like Marist and York exceeding preseason expectations. These storylines highlight the dynamic and unpredictable nature of prep hoops, which remains a beloved part of the fabric of communities across the state.