Boys Tournament

March Madness Experience® Games & Attractions

2010 Center Court Attractions

Not one, not two, but three great center courts will be operating in the March Madness Experience™ again this year. Named for the event's title sponsors, the Caterpillar Center Court, the Ameren Center Court and the Prairie Farms Court add more impact to America's premier high school event.

The Center Courts will be the site again for the popular Journal Star Jump Ball Jamboree. Each weekend teams of 5th through 8th grade school players from the Greater Peoria area will participate in a series of basketball exhibitions. Selection to participate will be based on essays written by the students in class regarding good sportsmanship fostered and practiced by students, faculty and fans at their schools. There will be as many as 25 exhibitions each weekend. More than 50 volunteer referees from the Peoria Officials Association (POA) will officiate the exhibitions.

• Journal Star Jump Ball Jamboree Information

Members of the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) state championship 7th and 8th grade boys teams will be introduced to fans attending the Friday games in the Carver Arena.

Elsewhere in The Exhibit Hall

A free basketball clinic -- "Learning From The Legends" -- for boys and girls in grades 4th through 6th will be held Saturday, March 20 in conjunction with the March Madness Experience in the Exhibit Hall of the Peoria Civic Center.

As many as 40 current and legendary members of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) will be the clinicians. All facets of basketball offensive and defensive skills will be taught at the clinic.

Participation in the Learning From The Legends clinic will be limited to the first 200 to enroll.

The clinic will be conducted in one session on the Caterpillar, Ameren and Prairie Farms Center Courts. Room 134 of the Peoria Civic Center will be used for clinic sign-in. Participant sign is between 8:15-8:45 a.m. The clinic will be conducted from 9:00-10:30 a.m.  Venues used in the Learning From The Legends will be off limits to the general public until the clinic concludes.

Many of the all-time great coaches in the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Hall of Fame will appear to sign autographs and talk strategy with basketball fans at a special IBCA booth, which again this year will include a hoop where visitors can shoot for prizes. Also joining IBCA executive director Chuck Rolinski at the booth will be current coaches serving on the IBCA Board of Directors, and others. The IBCA also will name its all-state teams during each weekend, and the all-staters will be honored on the Carver Arena floor each weekend.

The Peoria Officials Association will again operate a hospitality function in the Twin Towers Plaza (across the street from the Peoria Civic Center) for men and women who are licensed IHSA officials, IHSA coaches and athletic directors.

Add A. Tude™ is for Everyone

Add A. Tude™, the popular sportsmanship mascot of IHSA and IESA, celebrating its 12th birthday, will make numerous appearances in both the Exhibit Hall and the Carver Arena.

Add A. Tude™ will be around taking photos with fans and participants who display good sportsmanship and distributing photo coupons that can be used at neighborhood Walgreens locations throughout the state.

Experience 2010 Games

World's Biggest Basket

It seems really easy to put that little basketball into the World's Biggest Basket when you enter the March Madness Experience for the very first time.  Try it to see how BIG you really play.

Country Financial 3-Point Court

Can you dial it up from long-distance? Contestants test their shooting skills from the arc against the clock and earn a chance to go for a grand prize.

Think you're a long bomber? See if you can sink 12 treys in 30 seconds. Score a point for each made basket. Make the bonus ball, and you get three. Whoever has the most points wins.

Bankshot Basketball

Do you have the eye for a bank shot? Try your hand at these unconventionally shaped backboards.

Think you've got all the angles? Try to make shots at baskets on backboards at different angles and curves. Follow the course. Just like Miniature Golf. Shoot from each position, miss the first shot, try once more. Each basket is worth two points. But no dunking. Whoever makes the most points wins!!!

Highway to Hoop Heaven

Think you've got the shot?
We think not.
Your first stairway (basket) is your starting spot.
Take as many as you need .......
But make your shot before you proceed.
See how far you can climb .......
But remember, there is limited time!

Sky High

Think you can fly? Then step up and try Sky High.
The game that tests your hops,
So pump up your shocks.
Elevate and grab the ball, careful though
don't touch the wall!

Free Throw Challenge

Are you accurate from the line? Try this court if you have the rhythm and the ability to toe the line.

Think you've got an eye from the line? See how many free throws you can make consecutively. There's no pressure, since you're not timed. But miss one and you're done. Whoever makes the most in a row wins.

CEFCU Rainbow Shot

We like this game a lot, but you'd better have a long shot.
If you've got what it takes, then get in line.
When you score, we move back some more.
It's fast; it's fun, it's shots from afar.
Are you the one who's The Rainbow Shot star?

Mountain Madness

It's a relay race up the mountain face,
Two teams of four will race to score.
In this game there's no room for the weak,
You must each place a ball on top of the peak.
Once all four in the team have done this feat
Then you'll find the game is complete.

Prairie Farms Obstacle Course

Children of all ages get a chance to dribble their way through an inflated roundball maze.

Challenge a friend for Obstacle Champ bragging rights.  Remove your shoes and any sharp or loose objects (jewelry, pagers etc.). No pushing, shoving or intentional contact with your opponent is allowed.

At the signal, charge, climb, scramble, and zig-zag your way through the course while keeping your basketball with you at all times. Once you've reached the end, exit quickly to make a shot. Don't forget your basketball! The First One Out is the CHAMP!

Pop-A-Shot

Add A. Tude™ does it with good sportsmanship. Now it's your chance to show how good your winning attitude is and become the best "Pop-a-Shot" artist.

Shoot in as many as you can. Just have fun. Keep Shooting unless there's a line, then let someone else have fun.

Children's Hospital of Illinois at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Driveway Knockout

If you can shoot
You need not worry
Just get in line
But you'll have to hurry

So, take your best shot
There is no doubt
The player behind you
Will try to knock you out,
if the first player's shot goes in first
Get back in line, if the next player makes it first
Better luck next time

You are knocked out

Junior Slam Dunk

Here is your chance to test your hang time.
If you are shorter than the tape ribbon, then this is the game for you!
Pick a line based on the height you want to try.  No hanging on the rim!
Each player gets one chance to slam the ball home.
Then, jump back in line again.

Please - No taller than the tape ribbon

Children's Zone

Here's a place for our younger friends to play.
No pushing & No shoving
Just lots of Fun!

6 & Under Please

Thunder Zone

Enter the zone, you won't be alone.
Find your spot, this game is Hot!
You're Thunder Zone bound.
We'll spin you around, shoot, shoot, shoot, and shoot once more.
At the end of the circle, what was your score?

Biddy Ball

10 years and under please

Enter the house
And the fun begins.
Balloons blowing in the air
They are everywhere.
Shoot until you drop
Or they tell you "Time to stop."

Performance Studio

Here's one way to Experience March Madness™ without a game ticket. Watch the game action unfold, and see the television and radio crews from across the state do their thing live at the media kiosk.

Other Attractions

Journal Star Jump Ball Jamboree

Teams of students in grades 5th through 8th will display their basketball skills and good sportsmanship characteristics in exhibitions each weekend. Essays they wrote on sportsmanship earned their chance to Play in Peoria.

IHSA Store

Only place in Peoria to pick up your official March Madness Experience™ and Add A. Tude™ fashion apparel and souvenirs. Look for bargains galore.

IBCA Baskets and Banter

Meet the legends of America's Original March Madness® at the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) basket. Talk and shoot hoops with them.

And many more attractions to come!