The Illinois Get Down presented by One World Strong: Carbondale Holiday Showcase Returns Bigger and Better Than Ever
Date/Time
Date(s) - 12/12/2025 - 12/13/2025
12:00 am
Location
Carbondale Community High School
Categories
Carbondale, IL — Carbondale Community High School is thrilled to announce the return of one of Illinois’ premier basketball events — the “Illinois Get Down” Carbondale Holiday Showcase — taking place December 12–13, 2025. This celebrated showcase, now in its 59th year, will bring elite high school basketball talent and electric competition back to Southern Illinois.
All games will be hosted at Carbondale Community High School, with opening tip-offs beginning at 4:00 PM on December 12 and continuing from 10:00 AM on December 13.
This year’s revival is spearheaded by Carbondale High School Basketball and IHSA Hall of Fame member Dan Cross. He is also a University of Florida Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, who has been instrumental in restoring the prestige and excitement of this storied event. Cross is joined by a distinguished committee that includes Carbondale legends Troy Hudson (NBA) and Stephen Bardo, among others, ensuring a showcase experience worthy of the event’s legacy.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to give back to the community and provide an economic boost to Southern Illinois by showcasing top-tier high school teams and programs from across the country,” said Dan Cross. “Our mission is to empower student-athletes to reach their highest academic and athletic potential through the game of basketball.”
“Sports can be a powerful tool for teaching discipline, building character, and shaping brighter futures,” Cross added. “Basketball gave me a free education and life lessons that extended far beyond the court.”
This year’s Illinois Get Down will feature 17 powerhouse teams, including state-ranked programs from seven states — Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky and Illinois — promising fans two unforgettable days of high-level hoops and future collegiate stars on display.
Ticket Information:
- Saturday All-Day Pass: Adults $15 | Students $10
- Friday Games: Adults $10 | Students $5
Tickets and full game schedules are available at IllinoisGetDown.org.
Stay updated with scores, highlights, and exclusive coverage by following @IllinoisGetDown on Instagram and X (Twitter).
Don’t miss your chance to witness some of the nation’s top high school basketball recruits as they take the court in Carbondale.
Get ready — this is going to be a hot ticket!
If you have any questions, please contact the CCHS Athletic Department at 618-457-3371 ext. 212.
Holiday Tournament Teams
Illinois Teams Georgia Team Arkansas Teams
Carbondale HS Tri Cities HS Magnolia HS
Mt. Vernon HS
Waltonville HS
Lincoln Park (CHI)
Murphysboro HS
Urbana HS
Carterville HS
Chicago King College Prep (CHI)
Homewood Flossmoor (CHI)
Tennessee Team Oklahoma Team Florida ________Kentucky_
Craigmont HS Douglass HS Coral Glades HS Paducah Tilghman
Boyd Anderson HS
Dan Cross
Athlete Connections Foundation
Founder
407.403.6446 wk
407.227.9055 direct
www.AcForYouth.org