NORMAL, Ill. – The redemption tour for the Washington Lady Panthers is now complete.
On Saturday, Washington defeated Chatham Glenwood, 60-45, in the IHSA Class 3A girls basketball state championship game. It improves upon a 3rd place finish in last year’s state finals.
Washington led throughout the game against a valiant effort from the Titans. Washington was up 14-10 after one, and 34-22 at the half, before a run by Glenwood in the third quarter made it 42-36.
Washington senior guard Avery Tibbs led all scorers with 24 points, and hit crucial three pointers in the second half to steal the game away for the Lady Panthers. Tibbs says it was championship or bust after last year’s 3rd place trophy.
“We told each other 2nd place is not an option,” Tibbs said. “Our coaches put in so much effort on scout. We came together on defense and skewed the offense and it worked out.”
Tibbs says it means everything to be called a state champion, and to do it with a group of girls she has played with for a long time. Regarding her second half threes, Tibbs says it was a small part in what everyone else on the team did, along with rebounds and assists by her teammates.
Head coach Kim Barth says this year’s road to CEFCU Arena was a more challenging one than the year prior.
“Our schedule was tougher, the pressure is bigger, but to finish on top, there’s not a better feeling in the world,” Barth said.
Barth says it feels “unreal” to win the state title, and to do it with “her kiddos,” referring to her senior class.
Washington joins Dee-Mack in two Tazewell County schools winning state titles in girls’ basketball in 2026. Barth says it felt like the entire county was in Normal on Saturday, and that it speaks to the top quality of basketball in central Illinois.
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