Once again, Eastland’s tenacious defense got the job done. The Cougars made one final defensive stand to beat Tremont 47-45 in Monday’s Class 1A Supersectional at Western Illinois University to advance to state for the second straight year.

The Three Rivers Athletic Conference released its all-conference boys and girls basketball teams, with multiple area athletes recognized through voting by the head coaches.

Eastland and Tremont clash in Macomb in the Class 1 boys basketball Supersectional. Eastland defeated Tremont 47-45 and will play in Thursday's state semifinals.

The Eastland Cougars faced the Pecatonica Indians in Friday’s Class 1A Orion Sectional final at Orion High School on March 6, 2026. Eastland won the game 48-41.

Eastland's defense held tough and made key plays in a 48-41 win over Pecatonica to win the Class 1A Orion Sectional title and get back to the Elite Eight. 'We’re playing some of our best, grittiest basketball at the right time.'

Eastland used a strong start, tough defense and an explosive finish to defeat Dakota 49-31 on Wednesday night. The Cougars advanced to face Pecatonica in Friday's Class 1A Orion Sectional final at 7 p.m. for the third straight year.

Eastland faces off against Dakota in Orion Class 1A sectional semifinal Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Eastland took the win 49-31 and will play Pecatonica on Friday.

Newman battled a physical Pecatonica into overtime on Tuesday night, but the Indians came back to win 70-66 in the Class 1A Orion Sectional semifinals as Zion Braimah scored 34 points. Newman finished with a program-high 33 wins.

Newman meets Pecatonica Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in the Orion Class 1A sectional semi. Newman fell 70-66 in overtime.