Southern Illinois Hoops: Highlighting Six High School Programs

We traveled to Southern Illinois to spotlight some of the nation's most passionate high school basketball communities. With their distinctive branding, iconic gyms, and devoted fan bases, these schools embody the pride of local hoops. Here are the six incredible schools we had the privilege of collaborating with over the past year.

Herrin High School

• Mascot and Colors: Home of the Tigers, orange, black and white.
• Gymnasium Details: Built in 1949, Herrin High School's underground, bowl-style Memorial Gym gained popularity for its unique design, inspiring many other schools in the area to adopt a similar style.
• Collaboration Highlights: Home, away, and alternate uniforms, along with warm-up snap jackets and candy-striped snap pants.

Harrisburg High School

• Mascot and Colors: Home of the Bulldogs, purple and white.
• Gymnasium Details: Nearly 50 years after opening in 1902, the school unveiled Davenport Gym—a stunning venue featuring wooden architecture, an arched ceiling, and seating up to 2,400 fans.
• Collaboration Highlights: Home, away, and alternate uniforms, paired with warm-up snap jackets.

Freeburg High School

• Mascot and Colors: Home of the Midgets, royal blue and white.
• Gymnasium Details: The Freeburg gym, with blue bleachers on both sides and the Midget logo at center court, reflects the nickname the team earned in 1934-35 when a sportswriter gave it due to their size—the tallest player stood just 5 feet 10 inches tall.
• Collaboration Highlights: On-court pink-out fundraising uniforms.

Red Bud High School

• Mascot and Colors: Home of the Musketeers, maroon, grey, and white.
• Gymnasium Details: Red Bud High School, known as 'The Bud,' features a smaller, more intimate gym. Its student section, the Maroon Platoon, brings unmatched energy to home basketball games.
• Collaboration Highlights: Alternate on-court uniforms and sideline replica fan jerseys.

Eldorado High School

• Mascot and Colors: Home of the Eagles, purple, gold, and white.
• Gymnasium Details: Built in 1957, the 2,500-seat Duff-Kingston Gymnasium honors alumni Mike Duff and Kevin Kingston, who played basketball at the University of Evansville.
• Collaboration Highlights: Sideline fan uniforms.

Pinckneyville High School

• Mascot and Colors: Home of the Panthers, navy, powder blue, and white.
• Gymnasium Details: Duster Thomas Gym showcases the Panthers’ colors and honors two coaching legends: Merrill "Duster" Thomas, the gym’s namesake, and Dick Corn, for whom the court is named.
• Collaboration Highlights: Sideline fan uniforms.