Washington cruises to first-ever state title

Washington senior Mazzy O'Brien (left) drives to the basket against Glenwood senior Stella Lopp during the 2026 IHSA Class 3A state championship game on March 6, 2026 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. Skye Gillespie/Clutch Sports Media

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NORMAL — The Washington girls basketball team made history on Saturday afternoon thanks to one final show from its all-time leading scorer. 

The Panthers defeated Chatham Glenwood 60-45 in the Class 3A state championship game at CEFCU Arena to give the program its first-ever state title, with Avery Tibbs scoring 13 of her 24 points in the fourth quarter. 

Washington (34-2) led for more than 30 minutes of Saturday’s game, which brought its season full-circle after a 67-25 win opened its campaign on Nov. 20, 2025. The Panthers scored the first four points of the game and never trailed after Becca McDougall converted a layup with 3:57 left in the first quarter. 

Glenwood threatened late in the third quarter — at one point cutting its gap to 40-36 behind a strong start to the frame from Ava Bobb and Alexis Neumann — but Tibbs buried threes on consecutive possessions midway through the fourth quarter to give the Panthers a measure of insurance. 

Becca McDougall chipped in 10 points and Dani Guedet added nine points for the Panthers, while the Titans were led by Alexis Neumann’s 16-point outing. 

Washington senior Avery Tibbs takes a jump shot against Glenwood senior Alexis Neumann during the 2026 IHSA Class 3A state championship game on March 6, 2026 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. Skye Gillespie/Clutch Sports Media

Washington is now 3-1 in the state finals in the last two seasons; the 2024-25 Panthers finished 36-2 and won the Class 3A third-place game. Saturday’s game was Washington’s first time in a state championship game since 1977, when the Panthers fell to Sterling 52-38 in the first IHSA girls basketball state final ever played. 

Washington’s third trip to state ended on a high note as its fans — which filled most of 12 sections behind the Panthers’ bench at CEFCU Arena — watched Diya Iyer take the final shot of the Panthers’ 35-2 campaign.