The MLK weekend basketball festivities, combined with rescheduled games due to the cold snap, resulted in a hectic week for many teams, with several playing three or four matches. This demanding schedule placed a significant burden on high school teams and produced some intriguing outcomes.
The Super 25 rankings saw a notable shift, with Riverside-Brookfield, Palatine, West Aurora, and Glenbrook South exiting the list. Notably, the Bulldogs’ defeat against Hillcrest raised eyebrows, highlighting Hillcrest as a team worth monitoring. While in previous weeks, Riverside-Brookfield might have held onto their spot, the emergence of other competitive teams knocking on the rankings’ door prompted a reshuffle.
Four fresh faces have entered the rankings this week:
Crystal Lake South, boasting AJ Demirov and impressive stature, clinches the 25th spot. Despite lacking a standout victory, the Gators are deemed the top team in the Fox Valley region.
Barrington, a consistent top-30 contender, secured a spot following their victory over New Trier, despite a recent upset by Conant.
Lake Forest’s inclusion was a straightforward decision, given their strong performance and notable wins against Rolling Meadows, Waukegan, and Warren in 2024.
Glenbrook North’s return to the rankings seems overdue, having been omitted after a loss to Loyola. Their victory over Glenbrook South, completing a season sweep, reinstated their ranking.
Super 25 rankings for Jan. 21, 2024
With record and last week’s ranking
1. Curie (21-1) 1
Upcoming matches against Lindblom and Simeon
2. Homewood-Flossmoor (19-1) 2
Secured four wins last week
3. Thornton (18-2) 3
Scheduled to face Bloom on Tuesday
4. Waubonsie Valley (20-0) 6
Match against Metea Valley on Friday
5. Mount Carmel (21-3) 3
Encountered a setback against Kenwood
6. Benet (16-3) 5
Defeated by Thornton
7. Bloom (12-5) 8
Anticipating a challenging week ahead
8. Downers Grove North (17-4) 7
Lost to Homewood-Flossmoor
9. Warren (20-3) 10
Secured two victories in New York
10. DePaul Prep (18-2) 11
Lost to Normal but triumphed over Rice in OT
11. Brother Rice (19-3) 9
Impressive performance by Zavier Fitch
12. Bolingbrook (16-3) 13
Victorious against Andrew
13. Neuqua Valley (17-4) 17
Achieved four wins during the week
14. Kankakee (16-2) 20
Triumphed over Rich
15. Rich (14-6) 12
Defeated by St. Ignatius
16. New Trier (19-4) 14
Lost to Barrington
17. Kenwood (14-6) 21
Key player Chris Riddle making an impact
18. Marist (16-4) 15
Faced a tough challenge at Brother Rice
19. Loyola (18-4) 22
Prepared for three significant upcoming games
20. Glenbrook North (17-4) NR
Emerging victorious against Glenbrook South once more
21. Lincoln-Way East (14-5) 25
Facing a challenging week ahead
22. Barrington (14-4) NR
Triumphant over New Trier
23. Lake Forest (15-5) NR
Consistently demonstrating strong performance
24. York (17-4) 24
Struggled against Downers Grove North
25. Crystal Lake South (19-2) NR
AJ Demirov showcasing formidable skills