Girls 2022-2023 High School Basketball Week 7 Rankings

Happy New Year all! This week’s edition of the girls basketball rankings, the first of 2023 mean were through 7 weeks of games this season on the girls side. 

Where do teams across Illinois stand?

Previous rankings: 

Week 2

Week 4

Week 5

(Week 5 rankings in orange parentheses)

1. Nazareth (1)

Won Montini’s tournament, grabbed a notable win over Whitney Young in the final. Grace Carstensen and Danielle Scully excel in win over WY and Olivia Austin hits the winner. 

2. Fremd (2)

It didn’t make much sense to me to move Fremd down without moving Geneva up past Bolingbrook and Kenwood.  And seeing as how Fremd and Geneva have split their two games this season, and I’ve seen both of them play, I’m confident Fremd has the better all-around team. However, this is a good reminder that the 4A field is not a shoe-in title run for anyone. I would be ecstatic to see them play Geneva in the postseason. 

3. Kenwood (5). 

Lost to a good West Bloomfield team from Michigan by 3. The more time passes, the more I’d like to see a Kenwood-Bolingbrook matchup. 

4. Bolingbrook (6)

I’ve actually been struggling a bit to find info on Bolingbrook this season. I’m a bit too reliant on social media, but that’s sort of how it is when trying to keep tabs on so many teams. Bolingbrook is playing out of state a lot too, and playing good competition. As they begin to take on some better Illinis teams, I’ll have a better grasp of where they’re at (hopefully!) Bolingbrook was supposed to play in Tampa for a holiday tourney, but had their flight canceled.

5. Geneva 

Given the circumstances, it might be fair to describe Geneva’s Morton College Christmas Tournament title game win over Fremd as the best victory for any team in the state this season.  Cassidy Arni is tough as nails and makes winning plays. 

6. Alton (13)

I finally got to see Alton play (via NFHS stream) and all it took to reach 15-0 was a victory over undefeated Okawville and a second win this season over O’Fallon. It was a frantic finish for O’Fallon and Alton barely held on, but it feels necessary to recognize Altons ascendence and reward them with their top spot they’ve achieved in these rankings. 

7. Benet (4)

Even the state’s best players have down games. Naperville North was able to slow Lenee Beaumont and Benet dropped two games at the Mortoon tourney, one of them to Fremd. 

8. Lake Zurich (9)

All three of the Bears’ losses are to teams ranked higher than them, and Lake Zurich looks completely capable of beating ANYONE in the state.

9. Hersey (3)

Now 15-3 even after losing two games at Morton College. Beat Sycamore and Batavia at the tourney.

10. O’Fallon (14)

Defeated a very good Vashon (MO.) squad to reach title game of Mascoutah tourney, 

 

11. Whitney Young (15)

Made a run to the championship game of Montini’s tourney, came back from 19 down to tie the state’s top-ranked team, but fell in the end. Great wins over York and Lyons. 

12. Libertyville (17)

Winners of 13 straight. They’re scorching! 

13. Quincy Notre Dame (16)

Still winning. Beat Cardinal Ritter College Prep (MO.) and has a game with Okawville coming up Saturday. 

14. Normal 

Defeated Washington a second time this season to win the large school girls bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic. Beat Carmel Catholic. Un-de-fea-ted.

15. Maine South (UR)

This young team is on the rise in a big way. 

Held off Barrington to win Dundee-Crown’s Komromy Tournament. Also smashed Huntley, a borderline top 25 team, by 34. Between Meegan Fahy, Ava Blagojevich, Katie Barker, Ally Pape and crew, this Hawks bunch has the potential to do something special. 

16. Barrington (11)

Fell to Maine South in the Komromy tournament. Had to come back from big deficits vs. Stevenson and Maine South, did so for the former, came up just short vs. the latter. 

17. Carmel (10)

Took third at the State Farm Holiday Classic.

18. Loyola (18)

The defensive, low-scoring style continues to lend itself to wins, we’ll see how upcoming conference and invitational games work out. 

19. Peoria Notre Dame (12)

Fell to Peoria in overtime to lose the Manuel tourney championship, but also holds a win over Peoria this season.

20. Lincoln (24)

Who has beaten the Railers? No one. Beat undefeated 2A Dixon this past week. It’s still a few weeks out, but a game with Peoria on Jan. 21 stands out as a must-see.

 

 

21. Peoria (23)

Knocked off Peoria Notre Dame, though not without some controversy. Aaliyah Guyton and Denali Craig Edwards are a truly special duo. 

22. Montini (19)

A 14-point win over Lyons Township is no small thing. Broncos have won 5 of last 6. 

23. Lyons Township 

Their 3 losses are to 2 teams (Benet and Whitney Young) that have been ranked all season, and to Montini, which has been surging as of late. 

24. Deerfield (21)

Talk about a team that will be battle-tested come the postseason. Notched a big win over Hersey at Morton College. 

25. York

Their 4 losses are to teams that have been ranked in the top 25 all season, none by more than 10 points. Played Whitney Young close at Montini, then bested Neuqua Valley and St. Charles East. 

Teams on the fringe

Naperville North 

LWW

Lake Forest 

Hononegah

Huntley 

Stevenson

Glenbrook South 

Marian Catholic

Butler College Prep

St. Ignatius 

Lincoln-Way East

Okawville

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