Before a huge crowd on Championship Night at Carrollton High School, the IBCA honored the Carrollton Lady Hawk Invitational as a 2025 Organization of the Year. In the photo are: Carrollton Girls head coach Brian Madson: former Alton Telegraph sports editor and current chair of the IBCA Southwest Committee, Steve Porter: first Carrollton girls basketball coach and tourney founder, Marty Baker; Supt. Jason Bauer; Principal Leslee Frazier; and Lady Hawk Asst. Coaches Angie McAdams and Kylie Slagle.
The first and longest running girls’ tournament in Illinois began in 1975 and is considered one of the best small-school invitational tournaments in the state. The Lady Hawks celebrated their 50th edition of the Invitational (there was no tourney in 2020 due to Covid) with introductions of former coaches and players involved with the tournament.
The Jacksonville Crimsons were champions of the tourney the first two years. Since then, Jerseyville has captured 10 titles with Quincy Notre Dame winning 8; six of those consecutively from 2008 thru 2013. Host Carrollton has won 6 Lady Hawk Invitational crowns. The Hardin Calhoun-Brussels Warriors were crowned champs last season and defended their title for the 50th edition of the tournament.
On Saturday, May 3, the IBCA will again recognize the tournament at the annual Hall of Fame Banquet held at Redbird Arena on the campus of Illinois State University.
Congratulations to the Carrollton Lady Hawk Invitational on its selection as one of three 2025 IBCA Organization of the Year!
