The Illinois-Basketball.com girls basketball rankings are an attempt to contextualize just how every team in the state stacks up with one another, regardless of the size of the school.
This is the fourth week of rankings for the week ending Jan. 30 and there’s a bit of movement toward the top, and plenty of movement later in the top 25. One school made its first appearance in the top 25.
1. Stevenson (27-1, No change)
Rolled Zion-Benton 78-33. Ava Bardic scored 34 with 7 three-pointers on the Patriots’ senior night.
2. Benet (24-3, No change)
Upset by Carmel Catholic in the ESCC Tournament, which Nazareth went on to win. Defeated Marian Central Catholic and Marist.
3. Kenwood (19-5, +1)
Defeated Hyde Park and Phillips in the CPL Tournament to reach the city championship game, set to be played Feb. 12.
4. Naperville North (26-2, +1)
Wins against Metea Valley and Naperville Central.
5. Loyola Academy (25-3, -2)
Held to 31 points in a GCAC semifinal loss to Mother McAuley.
6. Sycamore (26-1, No change)
Notched a signature win over Fremd with a last-second bucket by Faith Feuerbach. With wins over Fremd and Nazareth, has two resume-boosting victories. Beat Kaneland and LaSalle-Peru as well.
7. Nazareth (25-2, +1)
Won the conference tournament for one of the strongest leagues in the state (ESCC). Defeated Joliet Catholic, Marist and Carmel after Carmel just defeated Benet. Has a potentially thrilling game scheduled for Monday at home against Peoria Notre Dame.
8. Geneseo (28-1, -1)
Defeated East Moline, Alleman and Plainfield North.
9. Hersey (24-4, No Change)
Beat Buffalo Grove. Big game scheduled at Fremd Tuesday.
10. Bolingbrook (18-5, -1)
Lost to Edison Academy (Detroit, Mich.), wins over Andrew and Lockport. Remains in front of Joliet West by virtue of win over Tigers.
11. Joliet West (22-2, No Change)
Defeated Edison Academy (Michigan), Minooka, Plainfield East and Romeoville.
12. Barrington (24-5, No Change)
Win streak up to 12 games after wins over Palatine and Conant. Barrington hosts Prospect in a de-facto MSL title game Wednesday.
13. Fremd (24-6, No change)
Lost on last-second bucket at Sycamore, won versus Schaumburg.
14. Geneva (21-4, No change)
Finished undefeated in parity-filled DuKane. Put up 77 and 78 points, respectively, in wins over St. Charles East and Wheaton North. Has a non-conference road game scheduled against Sycamore on Thursday. Has now won 10 straight games.
15. Lyons Township (24-3, No change)
Beat OPRF and a traditionally strong defensive squad Downers Grove North, 63-30.
16. Edwardsville (22-4, No change)
Defeated Class 2A No. 1 Quincy Notre Dame on the road behind Sydney Harris’ 29 points. Also beat Collinsville.
17. Okawville (27-1, +2)
Defeated Carlyle.
18. O’Fallon (20-5, +2)
Beat East St. Louis.
19. Whitney Young (18-5, +2)
Took down Morgan Park and Simeon in the city playoffs and will play Kenwood for the CPL title on Feb. 12.
20. Peoria (19-3, +2)
Handed Peoria Notre Dame its first loss since November, which was…also to Peoria.
21. Peoria Notre Dame (23-2, +1)
Both losses have now come against Peoria. Also beat East Peoria and Urbana. Nazareth Academy is scheduled for Monday.
22. Marist (19-7, -4)
Defeated by Benet and Nazareth Academy. Thrashed Marian Catholic by 50.
23. Winnebago (27-2, No change)
Wins against Rockford Lutheran and Rockford Auburn.
24. Montini (21-7, No change)
Lost to Mother McAuley in the GCAC tournament title game 39-36. Beat Resurrection and Trinity.
25. Quincy Notre Dame (22-2, UR)
Beat Camp Point and South Shelby, fell to Edwardsville.
Just Missed Out
Willowbrook (UR)
Deerfield (UR)
Civic Memorial (UR)
Prospect (UR)
Normal Community (UR)
Metamora (UR)
Homewood-Flossmoor (UR)
Teams to Watch
Lincoln, Alton, Carmel Catholic, Washington, Metamora, Hononegah, Libertyville, Paris, Providence Catholic, Sandburg, Normal, Lincoln-Way Central, Marian Catholic, Civic Memorial, Butler College Prep, Homewood-Flossmoor, Springfield, South Elgin, Mt. Vernon, Illini West, Mattoon, Brimfield, Downers Grove North, Galesburg, Pana, Fenwick, Saint Viator, Thornwood, Wheaton North, Maine South, Mother McAuley.