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Tri-County Conference (Illinois)

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Tri-County Conference
ConferenceIHSA
Founded1927
No. of teams10
RegionNorth Central Illinois (LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Putnam, and Woodford counties)

The Tri-County Conference is a high school conference in north central Illinois. The conference participates in athletics and activities in the Illinois High School Association. The conference incorporates 8 small public and 2 small private high schools, with enrollments between 82-428 students in LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Putnam, and Woodford counties.

History

[edit]

The first year of competition for the Tri-County was 1927 with ten charter schools: Hennepin, Henry, Hopkins Township in Granville, Lacon, Lostant, Magnolia, Senachwine Township in Putnam, McNabb Swaney, Tonica, and Varna. During the lifetime of the conference, most of these ten very small rural schools have remained in the league in one form or another. Some have left and returned and many of them have consolidated to become new entities. Regardless, the conference has changed many times over the years.

The first two schools to consolidate were Henry and Senachwine Township High Schools. The new high school became known as Henry-Senachwine Consolidated High School beginning in the fall of 1947 and would be located in Putnam, Illinois. The following year, Magnolia High School merged into Swaney High School near the town of McNabb, ceasing the existence of the Magnolia Pirates. In 1949, Varna High School consolidated with Lacon High School to create Mid-County High School, located in Varna. Sparland, a team that was part of the Tri-County but left for the Little 6 Conference in 1958, consolidated with Mid-County High School to form Midland High School in 1995.[1]

Rutland joined the Tri-County in the early 1930's, however, they would leave for the Mid State Conference during a consolidation with the Minonk-Dana School District in 1956. This new high school would be known as Minonk-Dana-Rutland. Toluca and Wenona High Schools joined the Tri-County in the early 1930's, however, in 1992 they consolidated with Minonk-Dana-Rutland to create Fieldcrest High School located in Minonk, Illinois. Fieldcrest remained in the Mid State Conference.

Some small schools would cease operations during the course of time. Original member, Lostant High School in Lostant, Illinois, remained a member of the conference until 1958 when it would join the Little 6 Conference. They would return to the Tri-County in 1961, however, in 1993 the school closed due to financial constraints. Students from Lostant were given options to attend one of four nearby schools; Fieldcrest, Putnam County, Streator, or LaSalle-Peru.

During the 1950s and 60s, there was a push in the state to consolidate rural districts. Several schools in the Tri-County followed the initiative and either merged or consolidated. In 1956, the high schools of Roanoke and Benson, long-time rivals, consolidated to form Roanoke-Benson High School and continue to be a member of the conference. Washburn High School, located in Washburn, Illinois was a school that had existed in the league since 1929, however, it would consolidate with the high school from Lowpoint to create Lowpoint-Washburn High School in 1952. In 1966, two charter schools, Hennepin and Hopkins Township, would consolidate with previously consolidated Magnolia-Swaney High School to form Putnam County High School.[2]

During the tenure of the Tri-County, schools like Eureka, Bureau Valley, and Peoria Christian joined and left. Another example of a school that would join the league and leave is DePue High School. DePue would leave the Indian Valley Conference in 1994, join the Tri-County, only to leave in 2020 to join the Little Ten Conference. Bradford High School, who joined the league in 1994, was deactivated in 2001 based on low enrollment. Students from Bradford were given the choice of attending Bureau Valley, Henry-Senachwine, or Stark County High Schools.

For nearly a century, the Tri-County has remained in operation with at least six high schools. Currently the league consists of six full members and four partial members, the full members are; Putnam County, Henry-Senachwine, Roanoke-Benson, Streator Woodland, Varna Midland, and Lowpoint-Washburn. Beginning in 2023-24 school year, Peru St. Bede, Dwight and Ottawa Marquette will compete in the Tri-County for all sports except football, which will compete in the newly formed Chicago Prairie Football League.[3] Seneca, also a partial member of the Tri-County, plays in the Vermilion Valley (South) Conference for football.

Map
About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
10km
6miles
St. Bede
Woodland
Low Point-Washburn
Midland
Seneca
Roanoke-Benson
Marquette
Henry-Senachwine
Putnam County
.
Dwight
Locations of Tri-County Conference Schools

Member schools

[edit]
School Location County Mascot Colors Joined Previous Conference Enrollment[4] IHSA Classes 1/2/3/4[4] IHSA Football Class[4] IHSA Football
Type[5]
Dwight High School[6] Dwight, IL Livingston Trojans    
Green, White 		2021[7] Sangamon Valley 264.44 A/1A/1A 2A/3A 11-man
Coop
Henry-Senachwine High School Henry, IL Marshall Mallards    
Red, Black 		1947 — 136.83 A/1A/1A — None
Lowpoint-Washburn High School Washburn, IL Woodford Wildcats    
Maroon, Gold 		1952 — 82.335 A/1A/1A — None
Marquette Academy[8] Ottawa, IL LaSalle Crusaders    
Navy, Vegas Gold 		1994 Big Northern 154 A/1A/1A 1A 11-man
Midland High School Varna, IL Marshall Timberwolves      
Dark Green, Silver, Black 		1995 — 206.085 A/1A/1A — None
Putnam County High School Granville, IL Putnam Panthers    
Black, Gold 		1966 — 258.35 A/1A/1A 4A 11-man
Coop
Roanoke-Benson High School Roanoke, IL Woodford Rockets    
Black, White 		1956 — 160 A/1A/1A — None
Seneca High School[9] Seneca, IL LaSalle Fighting Irish
Lady Irish 		   
Green, White 		2018 Interstate Eight 428.5 1A/2A 2A/3A 11-man
St. Bede Academy[10] Peru, IL LaSalle Bruins    
Green, White 		2023[11] Three Rivers 282 A/1A/1A 1A 11-man
Woodland High School[12] Streator, IL Livingston Warriors      
Red, Black, White 		2006 Mid-State 157 A/1A/1A 1A 11-man
Coop

Previous Members

[edit]
School Location Mascot Colors Year
Joined 		Year
Exited 		School
In Use 		Consolidated Current
District
Hennepin High School[13] Hennepin, IL Mallards    
Red, White 		1927 1966 Yes Yes Putnam County[14]
Henry Township High School[15] Henry, IL Mallards    
Crimson, Black 		1927 1947 No Yes Henry-Senachwine[16]
Hopkins Township High School[17] Granville, IL Hornets    
Green, White 		1927 1966 No Yes Putnam County
Lacon Community High School[18] Lacon, IL Lions    
Maroon, White 		1927 1949 Yes Yes Mid-County
Lostant High School[19] Lostant, IL Rams    
Orange, Blue 		1927, 1961 1958, 1993 Yes No School Closed
Magnolia High School[20] Magnolia, IL Pirates    
Maroon, Gold 		1927 1948 No Yes Magnolia-Swaney
Senachwine Township High School[21] Putnam,IL Braves Unknown 1927 1947 No Yes Henry-Senachwine
Swaney High School[22] McNabb, IL Pirates    
Blue, Gold 		1927 1948 Yes Yes Magnolia-Swaney
Tonica High School[23] Tonica, IL Warriors    
Blue, White 		1927 1990 Yes No School Closed
Varna High School[24] Varna, IL Green Dragons    
Green, White 		1927 1990 No Yes Mid-County
Washburn High School[25] Washburn, IL Unknown Unknown 1929 1952 Yes Yes Lowpoint-Washburn[26]
Roanoke High School[27] Roanoke, IL Unknown Unknown 1930 1956 Yes Yes Roanoke-Benson[28]
Rutland High School[29] Rutland, IL Rangers    
Maroon, White 		1932 1956 No Yes Minonk-Dana-Rutland[30]
Toluca High School[31] Toluca, IL Wildcats      
Purple, Gold, White 		1932 1992 Yes Yes Fieldcrest[32]
Wenona High School[33] Wenona, IL Mustangs    
Black, Orange 		1932 1992 Yes Yes Fieldcrest
Benson High School[34] Benson, IL Broncos    
Black, Orange 		1939 1956 Yes Yes Roanoke-Benson
Sparland High School[35] Sparland, IL Hilltoppers    
Red, White 		1939 1958 Yes Yes Midland[36]
Magnolia-Swaney High School McNabb, IL Pirates    
Blue, Gold 		1948 1966 Yes Yes Putnam County
Mid-County High School[37] Varna, IL Bulldogs    
Black, White 		1949 1995 Yes Yes Midland
Bradford High School[38] Bradford, IL Panthers    
Black, Orange 		1994 2001 No No School Closed
DePue High School DePue, IL Little Giants    
Blue, Orange 		1994 2020 Yes No DCUSD #103[39]
Eureka High School Eureka, IL Hornets    
Green, White 		1995 2006 Yes No ECUD #140[40]
Bureau Valley High School Manlius, IL Storm    
Navy, Columbia 		1997 2006 Yes No BVCUSD #340[41]
Peoria Christian High School Peoria, IL Chargers      
Purple, Gold, White 		1997 2021 Yes No Peoria Christian Schools[42]

Sources:IHSA Conferences,[43] and IHSA Member Schools Directory[44]

Membership timeline

[edit]

Full members Sources:Illinois High School Glory Days,[45][46]

Boys Basketball Tournament Championships

[edit]
Year Winning Team Score Losing Team Score Regular Season Champions
2024 Seneca 68 Marquette 54
2023 Marquette 59 Seneca 54 Marquette
2022 Midland 49 Seneca 40 Midland
2021 Not held due to COVID-19 Roanoke-Benson
2020 Roanoke-Benson 55 Peoria Christian 51 Roanoke-Benson
2019 Marquette 48 Seneca 39 Marquette
2018 DePue 51 Roanoke-Benson 25 DePue
2017 Marquette 59 Roanoke-Benson 37 Marquette
2016 Marquette 45 Putnam County 43 Marquette, Putnam County
2015 Peoria Christian 75 Marquette 69 Marquette
2014 Putnam County 70 Henry-Senachwine 46 Henry-Senachwine
2013 Putnam County 55 Hall 54 Putnam County
2012 Peoria Christian 59 Putnam County 49 Putnam County, Peoria Christian
2011 Lowpoint-Washburn 49 Midland 45 Putnam County
2010 Midland 64 Woodland 63 Midland
2009 Peoria Christian 48 Putnam County 45 Peoria Christian
2008 Putnam County 51 Roanoke-Benson 40 Putnam County
2007 Putnam County 85 Peoria Christian 65 Putnam County, Peoria Christian, Roanoke-Benson
2006 Marquette 63 Putnam County 60 Putnam County
2005 Putnam County 71 Marquette 64 Putnam County
2004 Eureka 66 Peoria Christian 50 Peoria Christian
2003 Putnam County 68 Eureka 61 Peoria Christian, Eureka
2002 Peoria Christian 66 Putnam County 33 Peoria Christian
2001 St. Bede 62 Midland 58 St. Bede, Eureka
2000 Eureka 73 Putnam County 61 Eureka
1999 Eureka 75 Midland 58 Midland, Bureau Valley, Eureka
1998 Henry 68 Bureau Valley 49 Putnam County, St. Bede
1997 Eureka 49 St. Bede 45 Eureka
1996 Marquette 54 Henry 52 Marquette
1995 Roanoke-Benson 58 Marquette 55 Putnam County
1994 Mid-County 69 Roanoke-Benson 68 Roanoke-Benson
1993 Roanoke-Benson 64 Mid-County 62 Roanoke-Benson
1992 Mid-County 54 Putnam County 51 Mid-County
1991 Lostant 47 Toluca 45 Lowpoint-Washburn
1990 Roanoke-Benson 72 Lowpoint-Washburn 49 Roanoke-Benson
1989 Mid-County 83 Lowpoint-Washburn 75 Mid-County
1988 Lowpoint-Washburn 58 Toluca 52 Roanoke-Benson
1987 Toluca 55 Mid-County 42 Putnam County
1986 Roanoke-Benson 67 Lostant 62 Putnam County, Toluca
1985 Roanoke-Benson 59 Toluca 47 Roanoke-Benson
1984 Toluca 55 Roanoke-Benson 46 Toluca
1983 Toluca 55 Putnam County 47 Mid-County, Toluca, Roanoke-Benson
1982 Putnam County 69 Roanoke-Benson 62 Putnam County
1981 Putnam County 72 Lostant 36 Putnam County
1980 Mid-County 59 Wenona 57 Wenona, Putnam County
1979 Roanoke-Benson 55 Mid-County 52 Roanoke-Benson
1978 Roanoke-Benson 73 Lowpoint-Washburn 62 Roanoke-Benson, Mid-County
1977 Henry 57 Lowpoint-Washburn 54 Henry
1976 Henry 70 Roanoke-Benson 59 Henry, Roanoke-Benson
1975 Roanoke-Benson 54 Lostant 45 Roanoke-Benson
1974 Putnam County 70 Roanoke-Benson 65 Putnam County
1973 Wenona 68 Toluca 55 Wenona
1972 Toluca 56 Wenona 54 Henry
1971 Wenona 56 Henry 47 Toluca
1970 Henry 78 Lowpoint-Washburn 52 Toluca
1969 Toluca 70 Henry 49 Toluca
1968 Putnam County 61 Toluca 60 Putnam County
1967 Wenona 62 Lowpoint-Washburn 51 Putnam County
1966 Wenona 75 Lowpoint-Washburn 58 Toluca
1965 Wenona 67 Toluca 58 Wenona, Mid-County
1964 Toluca 78 Wenona 66 Toluca
1963 Toluca 62 Mid-County 52 Toluca
1962 Toluca 69 Henry 61 Toluca
1961 Toluca 57 Mid-County 54 Toluca
1960 Toluca 57 Mid-County 52 Toluca
1959 Toluca 47 Henry 37 Toluca
1958 Toluca 74 Tonica 63 Toluca
1957 Toluca 52 Tonica 45 Toluca, Tonica
1956 Benson 70 Roanoke 65 Wenona
1955 Wenona 52 Tonica 50
1954 Wenona 55 Henry 53
1953 Wenona 62 Mid-County 60
1952 Mid-County 46 Henry 38
1951 Wenona 40 Henry 35
1950 Wenona 59 Toluca 46
1949 Henry 37 Wenona 35
1948 Henry 51 Toluca 46
1947 Toluca 40 Wenona 39
1946 Henry 37 Hopkins 34
1945 Toluca 50 Hopkins 23
1944 Lostant 44 Henry 33
1943 Henry 38 Toluca 22
1942 Toluca 47 Wenona 27
1941 Hopkins 19 Henry 14
1940 Henry 21 Hopkins 18
1939 Henry 19 Wenona 16
1938 Hopkins 20 Wenona 18
1937 Hopkins 36 Wenona 31
1936 Hopkins 19 Wenona 13
1935 Hopkins 25 Tonica 17
1934 Hopkins 21 Henry 14
1933 Hopkins 25 Wenona 23
1932 Wenona 29 Varna 21
1931 Wenona 26 John Swaney 20
1930 Wenona 18 John Swaney 17
1929 Varna 40 Lostant 18
1928 Lostant 20 Varna 10
1927 Lostant 23 Tonica 20

Tri-County Conference Tournament Championships

[edit]
School No. of Titles
Toluca 16
Wenona 12
Henry 11
Putnam County 10
Roanoke-Benson 9
Hopkins 7
Marquette 6
Mid-County 5
Lostant 4
Eureka 4
Peoria Christian 4
Lowpoint-Washburn 2
Midland 2
Varna 1
St. Bede 1
Benson 1
DePue 1
Seneca 1

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Tonozzi, Gil; Ellena, Bill and Massino, Joe (July 21, 2015). "History and development of Putnam County Schools prior to consolidation (part 1)". Putnam County Record. Retrieved March 10, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Tonozzi, Gil; Ellena, Bill and Massino, Joe (July 21, 2015). "History and development of Putnam County Schools prior to consolidation (part 2)". Putnam County Record. Retrieved March 10, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Smith, Cody (Nov 2, 2022). "Dwight football joins new Chicago Prairie Football League". Daily-Journal. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "Numeric Enrollments | Enrollments & Classifications | Schools | IHSA".
  5. ^ "Football Conference Schedules, Standings & Results".
  6. ^ Dwight CUSD
  7. ^ Pedelty, J.T. (July 27, 2020). "Dwight Set to Join Tri-County Conference for Start of 2021-22 School Year". Shaw Local News Network. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  8. ^ Marquette Academy
  9. ^ Seneca High School
  10. ^ St. Bede Academy
  11. ^ Staff (Nov 8, 2022). "St. Bede departing Three Rivers Conference". The Mendota Reporter. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  12. ^ Woodland CUSD
  13. ^ Hennepin High School
  14. ^ Putnam County School District
  15. ^ Henry Township High School
  16. ^ Henry-Senachwine School District
  17. ^ Hopkins Township High School
  18. ^ Lacon Community High School
  19. ^ Lostant High School
  20. ^ Magnolia High School
  21. ^ Senachwine Township High School
  22. ^ Swaney High School
  23. ^ Tonica High School
  24. ^ Varna High School
  25. ^ Washburn High School
  26. ^ Lowpoint-Washburn CUSD
  27. ^ Roanoke High School
  28. ^ Roanoke-Benson CUSD
  29. ^ Rutland High School
  30. ^ Minonk-Dana-Rutland High School
  31. ^ Toluca High School
  32. ^ Fieldcrest CUSD
  33. ^ Wenona High School
  34. ^ Benson High School
  35. ^ Sparland High School
  36. ^ Midland CUSD
  37. ^ Mid-County High School
  38. ^ Bradford High School
  39. ^ DePue CUSD
  40. ^ Eureka CUD
  41. ^ Bureau Valley CUSD
  42. ^ Peoria Christian School
  43. ^ "IHSA.org Conferences". www.ihsa.org.
  44. ^ "Schools - IHSA". www.ihsa.org.
  45. ^ "The Great Conferences of Illinois".
  46. ^ "Illinois High School Glory Days".

2015 Championship Game story from Ottawa Times

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