Perhaps you already knew that Little Illini Conference member schools play some of the best basketball in the state. Well in case you didn’t, the Basketball Museum of Illinois has the empirical proof you need to back up your claim.
Officials with the museum, located in the Chicago suburb of Bedford Park, have compiled a list ot the winningest programs in Illinois prep history through the 2024-25 season. The LIC sports three of the top 25 programs, with Paris, Lawrenceville, and Olney making the list.
Paris is the LIC front-runner in all-time wins, with 1,842, good for 17th place on the list. Lawrenceville and Olney follow close behind, in 21st and 22nd place, respectively. Lawrenceville has amassed 1,795 wins, only 22 more than the Tigers.
Not only does the league come up big in terms of all-time victories, but in state championships won as well. LIC schools have captured a total of eight state titles in their collective histories. Lawrenceville leads the way with four championships.Paris has won twice, with Mt. Carmel and Robinson each wearing the crown once.
In terms of trophies won (for finishing first, second, third, or fourth), LIC schools have totalled 20. Lawrenceville and Paris lead with six trophies each, followed by Olney (3), Mt. Carmel (2), Robinson (2), and Marshall (1).
Chicago sportswriter Taylor Bell wrote this about the Basketball Museum of Illinois: “After languishing in Peoria, Bloomington and Danville for periods of time, the Basketball Museum of Illinois has finally found a permanent home in Bedford Park, a Chicago suburb. Located at 5499 West 65th Street, in the expansive Wintrust Sports Complex, south of Midway Airport, west of Cicero Avenue, it is an extension of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. Its goal is to showcase the history of Illinois basketball, celebrate current achievements and motivate future generations. The centerpiece of the 23,000-square-foot space is the IBCA’s Hall of Fame, which highlights the greatest teams, coaches, players and officials in state history as well as the all-state teams, media and friends of basketball.”
This story has been edited.
