Muddy River Showcase: Illini West’s Surprenant will guide Illinois girls all-star team

The inaugural Muddy River Showcase is taking place June 18 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Illinois vs. Missouri format for senior prep basketball players will feature a girls game at 3 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 5 p.m.

CARTHAGE, Ill. — Grant Surprenant took a hiatus from basketball once his playing career at St. Francis University ended.

It didn’t take long for him to realize he couldn’t live without it.

“It was two or three years there where I felt I just needed a break,” Surprenant said. “But I was like, ‘Man, I really miss basketball.’”

To scratch that itch, Surprenant began coaching, and now after 10 seasons at the helm of the Illini West girls basketball program, the Chicago area native has built one of the area’s most consistent and toughest programs.

Coming off a 30-win season — the most single-season victories since the Illini West consolidation took place — Surprenant has been chosen to lead the Illinois all-stars in the inaugural Muddy River Showcase.

The Illinois vs. Missouri showcase, featuring boys and girls games, will take place June 18 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game is scheduled to tip at 3 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 5 p.m.

“It’s a big honor to be selected to coach in this game,” Surprenant said. “I was able to coach in a game similar to this several years ago, and just knowing how important it is being that it’s the first game and bringing back the Illinois vs. Missouri format is a big deal.

“It’s a sense of pride to be on the Illinois side. It’s a big honor. It really is.”

Under Surprenant’s guidance, the Chargers went 30-3 last winter and won a Class 2A regional championship. They have won six regional titles and 20 or more games eight times in the past 10 seasons, with Surprenant compiling a 234-68 record.

Three of his players — Caydee Kirkham, Hallie Ray and Abbie Johnson — will be on the Illinois roster.

“When I told the players from our high school they were going to get the chance to play in this game, they were very excited,” Surprenant said. “A lot of the kids know the importance of playing in this game because of the bragging rights. The competitiveness is going to be there. It’s going to be great for the communities.”

And it’s another opportunity for Surprenant to impact student-athletes through basketball.

“The older I get, the more I understand how much of an influence I have on players,” Surprenant said. “Watching them grow is something I thoroughly enjoy.”