East St. Louis routs Jacksonville in Class 3A Waterloo sectional semifinal, advancing to Friday’s final

Decisive second-quarter surge separates Flyers in 82-50 win

WATERLOO, Ill. — East St. Louis moved within one win of a super-sectional berth Wednesday night, defeating Jacksonville 82-50 in the IHSA Class 3A Waterloo Sectional semifinal. The Flyers, long established as one of the state’s top programs, broke open a competitive start with an extended run spanning the end of the first quarter into the second.

The game’s turning point came as East St. Louis accelerated from the perimeter and in transition, creating a wide gap before halftime that Jacksonville could not close. Jacksonville remained in contact early, but the Flyers’ sustained scoring burst pushed the margin into comfortable territory and allowed East St. Louis to control tempo for the remainder of the night.

East St. Louis’ scoring pace and shot-making during the decisive stretch effectively ended Jacksonville’s upset bid before the game’s midpoint.

Jacksonville’s season ends after breakthrough regional run

The loss ended Jacksonville’s postseason after a campaign that included its first regional championship in 26 years. For a program that had been seeking a deeper March push, reaching the sectional semifinal represented a significant step, even as Wednesday’s result underscored the challenge of facing an opponent with East St. Louis’ depth and athleticism.

Jacksonville’s offense was led by Troy DeFrates, who scored 18 points. East St. Louis countered with balanced high-end production, led by Alex Johnson with 30 points and Jamison White with 25. The Flyers’ ability to generate points in multiple ways—early offense, pressure-created opportunities, and consistent half-court execution—kept Jacksonville from mounting extended runs.

• Final score: East St. Louis 82, Jacksonville 50

• Top scorers: Alex Johnson (East St. Louis) 30; Jamison White (East St. Louis) 25; Troy DeFrates (Jacksonville) 18

• Setting: IHSA Class 3A Waterloo Sectional semifinal, played Wednesday, March 4, 2026

What’s next: Centralia awaits in the sectional championship

East St. Louis advanced to the Waterloo Sectional championship game scheduled for Friday, March 6, 2026, in Waterloo, with a berth in the next round at stake. The Flyers are set to face Centralia in the final, continuing a postseason path that now includes a statement win over a Jacksonville team that entered the week riding the momentum of its regional title.

For East St. Louis, Friday’s matchup will be the immediate test of whether Wednesday’s dominant stretch can be replicated in a winner-take-all setting. For Jacksonville, the season closes with a notable milestone—ending a long regional-title drought—while also providing a clear benchmark for the level required to break through at the sectional stage.