Top 25 Illinois high school boys basketball rankings (12/14/2023)

Check out this week's Illinois boys basketball Power 25

DePaul Prep jumps into the top 10 this week and Morton enters the rankings after beating a defending state champ.

Here is our breakdown of this week's SB Live Power 25 Illinois high school boys basketball rankings (records through Dec. 12):

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: DECEMBER 8 

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Illinois high school boys basketball rankings

1. Normal (6-0)

Previous rank: 1

The Ironmen were tested by Peoria Manual before winning 62-56. They have a big one coming up on Saturday vs. Thornton in the Southern Illinois Classic at Springfield.

2. Homewood-Flossmoor (9-1)

Previous rank: 2

The Vikings remained perfect vs. in-state opponents, beating Lincoln-Way East 77-72 in a key Southwest Suburban Blue game and knocking off St. Ignatius and Lockport. They're off till Dec. 26.

3. Thornton (6-1)

Previous rank: 4

The Wildcats escaped vs. Southland rival Rich Township, winning 68-62 in overtime. They face Normal on Saturday in Springfield.

4. Curie (8-1)

Previous rank: 7

The Condors might have been a little bit under the radar coming into the season. But their resume keeps getting better. A stellar defensive effort in a 45-36 win over returning Class 4A state placer Downers Grove North highlighted a 3-0 week that also included victories against conference rivals Phillips and Dyett.

5. Mount Carmel (10-1)

Previous rank: 6

A 59-46 win at South Side rival De La Salle highlighted a 3-0 week for the Caravan, who also knocked off Hillcrest and IC Catholic.

6. Downers Grove North (5-1)

Previous rank: 5

The Trojans dropped a top-10 matchup vs. Curie, 45-36. Interesting crosstown matchup at home vs. 7-1 Downers South is on tap Saturday.

7. Brother Rice (10-0)

Previous rank: 10

Led by senior guard and Lewis commit Cale Cosme, the Crusaders just keep winning. The latest victories came against Leo, Bloom (in triple OT) and Montini. Another big test is Friday at De La Salle.

8. Bloom (5-2)

Previous rank: 3

The Blazing Trojans split a pair of close games, beating Bishop Noll (Ind.) 59-55 and falling short in triple overtime vs. Brother Rice, 47-45. They have an interesting showdown on Sunday vs. DePaul Prep at Prairie State College.

9. Quincy (8-0)

Previous rank: 8

The Blue Devils went 2-0 against Missouri teams last weekend, beating Chaminade 62-54 and Webster Groves 61-51. 

See: Quincy uses strong second half to beat Chaminade at Norm Stewart Classic

10. DePaul Prep (9-0)

Previous rank: 11

A couple big tests await the Rams this weekend: vs. Loyola at home on Friday and against Bloom at Prairie State on Sunday. They're coming off comfortable wins against Taft and Providence-St. Mel.

11. Marist (8-1)

Previous rank: 9

The RedHawks bounced back from a 71-69 East Suburban Catholic loss to Marian Catholic by knocking off Niles Notre Dame 57-43.

12. Whitney Young (4-4)

Previous rank: 13

Don't pay much attention to the record. The Dolphins continue to test themselves against national competition, going 1-2 at Gonzaga (D.C.) last weekend.

13. Benet Academy (9-0)

Previous rank: 15

Sophomore Gabe Sularski is living up to some considerable hype as the Red Wings keep rolling with wins vs. against Carnel and St. Patrick. They host Marist on Friday.

14. Lindblom (6-2)

Previous rank: 12

Senior Je'Shawn Stevenson keeps scoring points in bunches for the Eagles, who had a busy week with a 58-53 loss to Hyde Park followed by wins over Lincoln-Way East (76-65), Farragut and Englewood (70-64 in OT).

15. De La Salle (7-1)

Previous rank: 14

The Meteors had their first loss of the season vs. Mount Carmel (59-46) but bounced back to beat Montini. Brother Rice comes in for a big Catholic Blue matchup on Friday.

16. Warren (9-1)

Previous rank: 16

The Blue Devils' winning streak is at seven after easy victories against Stevenson and Mundelein.

17. New Trier (8-1)

Previous rank: 18

The Trevians' 3-0 week included wins over Deerfield, Hampshire and Zion-Benton. They head to Arizona for their annual holiday trip this week.

18. Bolingbrook (7-1)

Previous rank: 19

It's a good year for freshmen in the Chicago area, and the Raiders' Davion Thompson is one of the best. He scored 32 in a 66-58 win against Lincoln-Way East on Tuesday. Bolingbrook also beat Neuqua Valley and Sandburg.

19. Glenbrook North (8-1)

Previous rank: 17

A 40-38 loss to Prospect on Tuesday ended the Spartans' perfect start. That followed a league win vs. Evanston.

20. Kenwood (5-2)

Previous rank: 20

The Broncos rolled by Brooks and got past Phillips 52-48 in a pair of Public League Red South-Central games.

21. Lincoln Park (5-2)

Previous rank: 21

The Lions split a pair of games on a California trip last weekend. They have two intriguing matchups this weekend: vs. Young at home on Friday and against Oak Park-River Forest at Romeoville on Saturday.

22. Riverside-Brookfield (8-1)

Previous rank: 22

The Bulldogs knocked off Elmwood Park, TF North and Crete-Monee for a 3-0 week.

23. Kankakee (7-0)

Previous rank: 23

Larenz Walters continues to put up big numbers for the Kays, scoring 37 in a 74-72 win over Battle (Mo.). 

24. Peoria Richwoods (8-1)

Previous rank: 25

The Knights rolled past Bloomington. They play crosstown rival Peoria Central on Friday at home and Class 3A Public League power Hyde Park on Saturday in Springfield.

25. Morton (9-1)

Previous rank: NR

First-year Potters coach Abe Zeller picked up a signature win, 51-44 over defending Class 3A champ Metamora. Morton also edged Champaign Central 51-48 and beat Pekin.

North Kansas City rallies to beat East St. Louis in Missouri-Illinois boys basketball showdown

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- Mike Clark | latsch@scorebooklive.com | @SBLiveIL