Illinois High School Basketball
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Girls 2022-23 High School Basketball Week 2 Rankings
By Kaleb Carter
After some carnage among the best teams in the state this past week, we try to make heads or tails of some of the results.
Kaleb Carter is back with his top 25 and will include some teams to watch as the season goes along in the rankings.
Previous rankings:
1. Nazareth Academy (4)
Did not mess around with a good Lincoln-Way East squad that has great size, winning 68-41. The Roadrunners have started 4-0, having also handled Yorkville by 35 this past week. They’re the full package.
2. Benet Academy (1)
Did the Redwings lose? Yes, to Naperville Central and super frosh Trinity Jones. They did so without an ill Lenee Beaumont, who I saw take an excellent Carmel Catholic squad to school. It felt necessary to reward Nazareth for being unbeaten, and Benet needed to drop behind, even given the circumstances.
I caught some interesting flack on social media for saying I thought Benet was the clear No. 1. I can’t wait to see the Redwings and Roadrunners square off this year. Even if I can’t attend it, I’ll certainly be streaming it.
3. Fremd (6)
They just keep beating good teams. Nobody ever really needs to score 20, and they’ve got a plethora of extremely talented players capable of putting up big totals on other squads. They won their two games by an average of 36 points this past week and won the Hampshire tourney.
4. Carmel Catholic (5)
Lone loss is to No. 2 Benet. The Corsairs are 5-1 after beating Naperville Central, Proviso West and Guilford this week.
5. Hersey (7)
Now 5-1, the Huskies claimed the Bison Classic with a 60-49 victory against a solid Maine South team that may see the rankings this season as they grow. Hersey defeated Grayslake Central and Barrington as well this week.
6. Bolingbrook (8)
I don’t have a super great grasp on how good the Raiders are this season, but I do know that Angelina Smith is excellent. They defeated Joliet West and Mother McAuley this week.
7. Geneva (9)
Did not play this week, can grab a good win this upcoming week against Naperville North and/or Barrington.
8. Lyons (13)
Just rolling along at 4-0 after wins over Leyden and Lane tech this week, both by at least 30.
9. Montini (12)
Dusted Plainfield East by 40 and is 4-0. Shannon Blacher playing great.
10. Loyola (17)
The defense is strong as ever. Wins over Stevenson (last week) and New Trier this past week. Young players contributing to the cause. 4-0 record.
11. Barrington (2)
Has two losses to a very good Hersey team as well as against a high-upside Libertyville. Deciding where to put Barrington and Libertyille this week gave me a massive headache. Fillies now 3-2.
12. Peoria (11)
Out to a 5-0 start, scored 100 versus Decatur Eisenhower and also beat Dunlap. Aaliyah Guyton is coming into her own.
13. Stevenson (15)
Emory Klatt is doing absurd things statistically, and the Patriots are 3-1, with line loss to Loyola.
14. Deerfield (16)
Unbeaten at 5-0. Pulverizing early competition.
15. O’Fallon (18)
3-1, lost to Evansville Memorial (IN) this past week after a win over Castle (IN). D’Myjah Bolds stepping up.
16. Whitney Young (3)
Sitting at 1-1 with the loss to O’Fallon.
17. Kenwood (20)
Breezed through the Rock Island tourney, with freshman Danielle Brooks opening eyes early.
18. Libertyville (10)
Has a win over Barrington and a loss to Maine South. I wasn’t sure where the Wildcats belonged. Dropping so far probably not fair to them, but this is where I feel they should be for now. Wildcats are 3-2.
19. Quincy Notre Dame (14)
Had to come back late against Butler College Prep, but secured the 63-60 win. Missouri signee Abbey Schreake scored 35. Now 4-0.
20. Alton (21)
No one has beaten them yet, all three wins by double digits.
21. Naperville North (24)
Still unbeaten (3-0), and should be in a fight with Waubonsie Valley and Naperville Central in a fun DuPage Valley.
22. St. Charles North (Unranked)
Has really impressed early with a 5-0 mark. Excited to see how their game with Bolingbrook goes on Saturday.
23. York (Unranked)
One of the most intriguing early-season teams, they’re 5-0 and have a chance to carry an unbeaten record for a while.
24. Lake Zurich (23)
Upcoming game for Bears (2-2) against Huntley (Saturday) has my attention, I could see Huntley broaching the rankings.
25. Peoria Notre Dame (25)
Mya Wardle is playing great and has the Lady Irish out to a 5-0 start.
Other notables: Was feeling strongly that teams like Huntley, Mother McCAuley, Lincoln-Way West, Glenbrook South, Marian Catholic and Maine South are making cases for rankings. Others, like Neuqua Valley, Batavia, Okawville, Lincoln-Way East and Butler College Prep have my attention.
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