Holiday tournaments as usual makes for a lot of moving around in the Top 25, and new teams entering the poll and some reentering the poll with titles. Always the best time of the year between Christmas and New Years. Here we go:
1) Glenbard West(Glen Ellyn)(4A)(14-0)- Breezed through the Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament winning each game by over 20 points. Senior Gonzaga commit Braden Huff was MVP, though senior guard Paxton Warden could have easily got its as well. Four all-tournament selections. Another showcase game this weekend upcoming. Next: Friday hosts Downers Grove North, Saturday vs Benet Academy(Lisle) at Steve Pappas Shootout at DePaul College Prep(Chicago)
2) Simeon Career Academy(Chicago)(3A)(10-1)- Won Pontiac Holiday Tournament which they have done many times. Junior Wes Rubin was AC Williamson Award winner and senior guard Jaylen Drane made all-tournament. Have not lost to an Illinois team playing a tough national schedule. Beat Curie(Chicago) in the title game and has to face them again this week in Chicago Public League Red South/Central Conference play. Tuesday hosts Bogan(Chicago), Thursday hosts Curie(Chcicago), Saturday vs Hillcrest(Country Club Hills) at Thornton Fractional North(Lansing).
3) Kenwood Academy(Chicago)(4A)(12-2)- Won Proviso West Holiday Tournament beating Whitney Young(Chicago) in title game. Senior Nevada commit Trey Pettigrew was MVP taking over as junior point guard Darrin "Dai Dai" Ames has been out with ankle injury. Should be back this week. Junior Davius Loury also made all-tournament. Sophomore Lincoln Park transfer Jaden Smith had 14 points in Proviso West Title Game off the bench. Have not lost to an Illinois team playing a tough national schedule. Thursday At Morgan Park(Chicago), Saturday, vs Christian Brothers(St Louis,MO) at Highland,IL Shootout.
4) Glenbrook South(Glenview)(4A)(13-1)- Won Wheeling Hardwood Classic with ease blowing out Central Suburban South Conference rival Glenbrook North(Glenview) in title game. Have only lost by 3 to #1 Glenbard West(Glen Ellyn). Senior forward Elon commit Nick Martinelli continues his fabulous senior season with MVP honors. Senior guard Cornell commit Cooper Noard made all tournament and scored as many an one of the teams in a game. Senior forward Spencer Brown led the tournament in rebounding. Friday at Glenbrook North(Northbrook), Saturday, Lebanon(IN) at Knightstown Hoosier Gym.
5) Curie(Chicago)(4A)(15-1)- Runners-up at Pontiac Holiday Tournament. Moves up in the poll as this is their only loss of the season. Will get a chance to get some get back this week vs #2 Simeon Career Academy(Chicago). Junior forward Chikasi Ofoma made all-tournament and sophomore guard Carlos Harris has played well. Thursday at Simeon Career Academy(Chicago), Saturday vs Murray(KY) at McCracken County(KY), Sunday vs Lake Forest Academy-Org at Thornton Fractional North(Lansing).
6) Hillcrest(Country Club Hills)(3A)(11-2)- Runners-up at Big Dipper Holiday Tournament. Junior point guard Bryce Tillery, and senior Marcus Glover made all-tournament. Will need to push the reset button to get their focus back. Tuesday at Shepard, Friday Hosts Oak Lawn, Saturday vs Simeon Career Academy(Chicago) at Thornton Fractional North(Lansing).
7) Whitney Young(Chicago)(4A)(7-4)- Runners-up at Proviso West Holiday Tournament. Have played a tough national schedule went 1-3 at City of The Palms in Florida. Senior forward Northern Illinois commit Xavier Amos has been the most consistent player this season. Senior forward Miami(FL) commit Andre Casey Junior has played well in spots. Junior point guard Dalen Davis(death in family, multiple injuries) did not play in Proviso West Title Game. Friday at Lincoln Park(Chicago), Saturday at Totin-Grace(MN).
8) New Trier(Winnetka)(4A)(15-2)- Third place at Pontiac Holiday Tournament. Moved up as they've only lost to #2 Simeon Career Academy(Chicago) and #4 Glenbrook South(Glenview). Senior forward Dartmouth commit Jackson Munro made all-tournament. Junior guards Noah Shannon, and Jack Fiegen are key components going forward. Friday at Niles West(Skokie), Saturday at Hinsdale South(Darien)
9) Mount Carmel(Chicago)(4A)(15-0)- Won Pekin Holiday Tournament. A BASKETBALL SCHOOL????? Senior forward Elijah Joiner averaged a double/double while junior guard DeAndre Craig is playing at a high level. The Ciaravino brothers(junior guard Anthony, sophomore forward Angelo) have played their roles well. Friday hosts Montini Catholic(Lombard).
10) Leo Catholic(Chicago)(2A)(7-2)- Lost to #1 Glenbard West(Glen Ellyn) but won the rest of their games. Senior guard Cameron Cleveland made the all-tournament team at Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament. Starts five guards and has to use their pressure and quickness to their advantage. Tuesday at Thornwood(South Holland), Friday hosts Providence St Mel(Chicago), Saturday at DeLaSalle(Chicago).
11) Orr Academy(Chicago)(2A)(7-1)- Lost to Minneapolis North(MN) in first George Floyd Jr Classic in Minneapolis but beat Yates(Houston). Senior guard Cam Lawin made all-tournament and senior forward Caleb Hannah has played at a high level all season long. Senior point guard Leontae Lilly is a steady force. Friday vs Bartlett(TN) in Memphis(TN), Saturday vs Brandon(MS) in Memphis(TN), Sunday vs Lemont at Thornton Fractional North(Lansing).
12) DePaul College Prep(Chicago)(2A)(10-1)- Lost to Hinsdale Central at Hinsdale Central Holiday Tournament but won the rest of their games. Senior forward Milwaukee commit Dylan Arnett played well, but this team has to stop passing up good open shots. Senior guards Alex Gutierrez, and Trevon Thomas have to step up their games. Friday hosts DeLaSalle(Chicago), Saturday vs Homewood Flossmoor at Steve Pappas Shootout at Depaul College Prep(Chicago).
13) Wheaton Warrenville South(4A)(14-1)- Third place at State Farm Holiday Classic at Bloomington. Lost to eventual champ Normal Community. This team plays well at it's own pace and plays a full court press and moves the ball well on offense. Thursday at Batavia.
14) Riverside Brookfield(4A)(9-1)- Idle due to covid19 protocols. Was supposed to play at the Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament so no movement in the polls. Friday hosts Von Steuben(Chicago), Saturday hosts Nazareth Academy(LaGrange).
15) Rolling Meadows(4A)(13-2)- Took third place at Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament losing only to #1 Glenbard West(Glen Ellyn). Senior Orlando Thomas and junior Cameron Christie made all-tournament. Young team getting better moving forward. Tuesday hosts Palatine, Friday hosts Wheeling, Saturday at Deerfield.
16) Brother Rice(Chicago)(4A)(12-2)- Lost to #13 Wheaton Warrenville South at State Farm Holiday Classic. This team goes as junior point guard Ahmad Henderson II goes. Friday hosts St Ignatius College Prep(Chicago).
17) Lyons Township(LaGrange)(4A)(11-3)- Enters poll. Runners-up in Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament losing for the second time this season to #1 Glenbard West(Glen Ellyn). Senior point guard Akron commit Tavari Johnson, junior Niklas Polonowski, and senior forward Billy Bach made all-tournament. Friday hosts Oak Park River Forest.
18) Bolingbrook(4A)(12-2)- Fourth place at Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament. Junior point guard Mekhi Cooper, and senior forward Michael Osei-Bonsu made all-tournament team. Have a big rivalry game this week with Romeoville who they have owned. Wednesday hosts Romeoville, Friday hosts Andrew(Tinley Park), Saturday vs St Ignatius College Prep at Steve Pappas Shootout at DePaul College Prep(Chicago).
19) Hyde Park(Chicago)(4A)(9-3)- Reenters poll by winning the Big Dipper Title over #6 Hillcrest(Country Club Hills). MVP senior guard Davontae Hall was in and out of the title game with an injury. Junior point guard Cam Williford picked up the slack with 28 points. Has played a tough schedule. Seniors Malik Jenkins and Damarion Morris also made all-tournament. Friday at Phillips(Chicago), Saturday hosts Vocational(Chicago)
20) Homewood Flossmoor(4A)(9-2)- Repeated as Champ at Hinsdale Central Holiday Tournament. Senior forward Christian Meeks was tournament MVP as he dominated with a couple of double/doubles. Junior guard Nashawn Holmes made all-tournament as well. Playing at a high level right now. Friday hosts Bradley Bourbonnais, Saturday vs #12 DePaul College Prep(Chicago) at Steve Pappas Shootout at DePaul College Prep(Chicago).
21) East(Oswego)(4A)(14-1)-Runners-up at the Hinsdale Central Holiday Tournament. Junior wing Mekhi lowery was a revelation as an all-tournament member. Senior wing Patrick Robinson is the star of this team. Tuesday at Central(Joliet), Friday hosts Romeoville, Saturday at North(Downers Grove).
22) Larkin(Elgin)(4A)(14-1)- Back in the poll. Won Hinkle Holiday Tournament at Jacobs. Senior guard North Dakota State commit Damari Wheeler-Thomas and senior guard Fernando Perez made all tournament. Big rivalry week for them as they play for Battle of Elgin. Tuesday Aurora(East), Friday at Elgin for Battle of Elgin.
23) Michele Clark(Chicago)(2A)(10-3)- Third place at Proviso West Holiday Tournament. Senior forwards Mikell Jones and Suliman Agiste made all-tournament. I keep them in the rankings as they have played a tough schedule. Friday hosts North Lawndale(Chicago), Saturday Stevenson(Lincolnshire).
24) Proviso East(Maywood)(4A)(9-2)- Fourth place at Proviso West Holiday Tournament. Junior guard Jaloni Johnson made all-tournament. Friday hosts Hinsdale South(Darien).
25) St Rita(Chicago)(4A)(11-4)- Fifth place at Hinsdale Central Holiday Tournament. Lost by 2 to the eventual champ Homewood Flossmoor. Has had a rugged schedule which will continue. Sophomore forwards Illinois commit Morez Johnson Jr, and James Brown have to get involved consistently in the offense. Sophomore point guard Jaiden Reyna hit the game winning layup in 5th place game. Saturday Notre Dame(Peoria) at the Highland(IL) Shootout.
Comments