Washington Lady Panthers Secure Historic 3A State Title Over Chatham Glenwood

Photography by Alan Look Photography

 The journey to the top of Illinois high school basketball reached its pinnacle on Saturday at CEFCU Arena, as the Washington Lady Panthers captured the program’s first-ever state championship. Facing off against a resilient Chatham Glenwood squad in the IHSA Class 3A final, Washington utilized a balanced offensive attack and a clinical defensive performance to secure a 60-45 victory. The win marks a historic milestone for the Panthers, who improved upon their third-place finish from the previous season to claim the ultimate prize in Normal.

Washington established control early, finishing the first quarter with a 14-10 lead and extending that margin to 34-22 by halftime. The Panthers’ shooting was particularly sharp in the second frame, where they hit 75% of their field goal attempts. Avery Tibbs anchored the Washington offense, delivering a game-high 24 points. Her performance was bolstered by double-digit contributions from Rebecca McDougall, who added 10 points, and a strong nine-point showing from Danielle Guedet. The Panthers' efficiency from the floor—finishing at 56.4% for the game—proved too much for the Titans to overcome.

Chatham Glenwood refused to go quietly, mounting a significant challenge in the third quarter. Led by Alexis Neumann, who finished with 16 points and six rebounds, and Ava Bobb, who contributed 13 points, the Titans cut the deficit to just six points late in the period. However, Washington responded to the pressure in the fourth quarter. Critical three-pointers and a disciplined transition game allowed the Panthers to pull away, outscoring Glenwood 18-9 in the final eight minutes.

The statistics tell the story of a championship-caliber execution. Washington dominated the points in the paint, outscoring Glenwood 30-24, and capitalized on turnovers to create 16 points. While the Titans showed strength on the boards with 28 total rebounds compared to Washington’s 18, the Panthers’ ability to protect the ball and find open shooters in transition made the difference. As the final buzzer sounded, the celebration began for a Washington team that has now cemented its place in the history books of Central Illinois athletics.

Photographs of the IHSA state finals and local high school sports are available to view through Alan Look Photography capturing the soul of the heartland. For more in-depth coverage of regional athletics and community highlights, visit 


, an online sports, travel, and lifestyle magazine.