In Illinois Thanksgiving Means High School Basketball

While the nation pauses to give thanks on Thursday, football has become the focus of the day. But, in Illinois Thanksgiving is when high school basketball season kicks off with Thanksgiving tournaments of all sizes.

Yes, football is fun (and profitable), in Illinois high school basketball isn’t considered leftovers. High school basketball in Illinois is where the juiciest meat is still on the bone and will keep fans well fed throughout the winter months.

There are tournaments with teams familiar and foreign to feasted upon. This is the bounty that Thanksgiving points to each year. So loosen your belts --or get your stretchy pants out ladies, and lose your worries about over indulgence.

Some of the Thanksgiving Tournaments in Illinois this weekend include:

Boylan Thanksgiving Invitational in Rockford, New Berlin Turkey Tournament, St. Anthony Turkey Tournament, Christopher Turkey Tourney, Quincy Thanksgiving Tournament, Glenbrook North Thanksgiving Tournament, and the Charleston Thanksgiving Tournament.

So, while some of your family is watching football on Thanksgiving, discussing potential playoff match-ups and betting lines, in Illinois our minds are dancing with thoughts of a zone press, a kickout three and wondering if this group of young men will have the fortitude to take their cities and towns along with them on a promising journey into March, when things really get serious.