When Sides Collide at Benet Academy had high level matchups. It also make a drastic shift in the rankings. There will be a new number 1 (well they've been there before this season) and big time shakeups. Here we go:
1) Simeon Career Academy (Chicago) (19-1) (3A): They get the nod as they have only lost to #4 Kenwood Academy, have a victory over #2 Benet Academy (Lisle) that tips the scales to them. Senior Northern Iowa commit Wes Rubin with a game saving block in one point win over Moline at When Sides Collide.
2) Benet Academy (Lisle) (22-1) (4A): Big win over previous #1 Kenwood Academy (Chicago) at When Sides Collide. Only loss is to #1 Simeon Career Academy (Chicago). Seniors Brady Kunka, Johns Hopkins commit Brayden Fagbemi, and Dartmouth commit Niko Abusara continue to play at a high level. Fagbemi keeps making the case as the most underrated point guard in the state.
3) Hillcrest (Country Club Hills) (21-2) (3A):Have not lost to a team in the Chicago Area. Senior Quentin Heady has been a difference maker for this team on both ends of the court. Senior forward Akron commit Darrion Baker and senior point guard Bryce Tillery have been consistent performers.
4) Kenwood Academy (Chicago) (16-5) (4A): Lost week for the Broncos as they are on a three game losing streak. Three tough opponents in three days in three different venues will do that. Big time sophomore Aleks Alston is on the injured list doesn't help as he's a 6'9" knockdown wing shooter. Looked tired on Saturday.
5) West (Joliet) (17-5) (4A): Senior point guard Michigan State commit Jeremy Fears Jr continues to be clutch and fearless (no pun intended) attacking the basket. Junior wing Justus McNair has been a huge third wheel behind the Fears brothers (sophomore Jeremiah is playing at a high level too).
6) Whitney Young (Chicago) (17-5) (4A): Sophomore wing Antonio Munoz has had a good sophomore season hitting the glass and playing all over the court. He was huge in loss to West (Joliet) at When Sides Collide.
7) Brother Rice (Chicago) (20-3) (4A): Senior point guard Niagara commit Ahmad Henderson II was clutch again in second half in win over Rolling Meadows at When Sides Collide. Senior guard Peter McShane was big time on defense, and Nick Niego coming off the bench to knock down threes. Junior forward Xzavier Fitch has been more aggressive on both ends of the court.
8) Mount Carmel (Chicago) (19-2) (3A): Ciaravino brothers (senior Anthony, junior Angelo) have been great in supporting senior point guard Denver commit DeAndre Craig. Junior forward Lee Marks III has been a double/double machine.
9) Rolling Meadows (20-3) (4A): Senior Minnesota commit Cameron Christie is having a fantastic senior season as is forward Mark Nikolitch-Wilson double/double machine. Both played well in loss to #7 Brother Rice (Chicago). Christie had 29 points but two of their losses Christie did not touch the ball at the end of the game. He has to get a touch in those situations. Big game on Saturday against state ranked Moline at the Glenbrook South (Glenview) Shootout.
10) Glenbrook North (Northbrook) (20-2) (4A): Beat New Trier (Winnekta) at home to tie with them for the Central Suburban South lead. Senior guard Washington University St Louis commit Ryan Cohen and junior guard Josh Fridman had big games. Visits a tough Evanston Township team on Friday.
11) Hinsdale Central (19-3) (4A): Senior wings Ben Oosterbaan and Chase Collignon have been outstanding this season. They lead the tough West Suburban Silver and have been the epitome of team play.
12) Glenbrook South (Glenview) (18-4) (4A): Seniors Rodell Davis and Gavin Marr have taken their game to another level. Junior forward Nick Taylor has been an inside/outside force.
13) Hyde Park Academy (Chicago) (18-4) (3A): Beat then #1 Kenwood Academy (Chicago) at home in the neighborhood rivalry and leads the rugged Chicago Public League Red South/ Central. Senior guards Camron Williford and Damarion Morris are one of the most underrated backcourts in the state and Chicago Public League.
14) Lincoln Way East (Frankfort) (18-2) (4A): Lost to Bolingbrook this week but senior forward bookends George Bellevue and Kyle Olagbegi have dominated on the interior. Senior guard Ty Tolliver has been consistent on both ends of the court.
15) New Trier (Winnetka) (18-4) (4A): Lost to Glenbrook North (Northbrook) to fall into a tie for first place in the Central Suburban South. Senior Cornell commit Jake Fiegen has to get more shots in the offense. Senior point guard University of Chicago soccer commit Evan Kanellos is the player to get the ball to the shooters.
16) North (Downers Grove) (18-3) (4A): Have righted the ship from two devastatingly close losses a couple of weeks ago. Junior guard Jack Stanton is a big time shooter who can break a game open.
17) St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago) (15-6) (3A): Lost to St Laurence. Senior stars George Mason commit Richard Barron III and Miami (OH) commit Jackson Kotecki have to be leaders to get this team back to Champaign for second year in a row.
18) Lyons Township (LaGrange) (18-3) (4A): Lost to rival #11 Hinsdale Central. Senior wing Penn commit Nik Polonowski and senior Illinois Wesleyan commit Jackson Niego have been consistent on both ends of the court.
19) St Rita (Chicago) (13-8) (4A): Rugged schedule may pay off for this team. Junior Iowa State commit Nojus Industraitis has gotten more comfortable with his scoring. Junior forward Illinois commit Morez Johnson Jr has been a double/double machine all season. Junior forward North Carolina commit James Brown is still finding his way this season. Sophomore guard Melvin Bell is also still finding his way.
20) Bloom Township (Chicago Heights) (14-6) (4A): Junior Santana Flowers has been consistently putting up double/doubles in the past five games. Sophomore Elijah Lovemore has been added to starting lineup and has played well.
21) Loyola Academy (Wilmette) (18-6) (4A): New to the poll. They have beaten St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago) and Brother Rice (Chicago).
22) Proviso East (Maywood) (16-4) (4A): Forfeited a game and then lost to #16 North (Downers Grove).
23) Bolingbrook (16-6) (4A): Back in poll. Beat #14 Lincoln Way East (Frankfort) and lost to North (Downers Grove).
24) East (Oswego) (18-5) (4A): Lost to #3 Hillcrest (Country Club Hills). Senior wing Towson commit Mekhi Lowery has been a double/double machine.
25) Curie (Chicago) (13-9) (4A): Forfeited a game and lost two games to out of state teams. Have played a tough schedule and will help that junior point guard Carlos Harris is back from injury.
Thornton Fractional North and Lemont drop out.
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