Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Dec. 3, 2017

It didn’t take long for Simeon to get back on top of the Super 25. The Wolverines gutted out a sloppy opening game on Saturday at the Chicago Elite Classic and beat a very good St. Louis Chaminade team.

There are definitely kinks to be ironed out, but the mere presence of Talen Horton-Tucker will make Simeon extremely difficult to beat. He was a dominant force against Chaminade, finishing with 21 points and 12 rebounds.

Transfer guard Zion Young played very well, he’s a leaper that should help out on the boards.

NEWCOMERS

Hillcrest: The Hawks are in the rankings for the first time this season after knocking off Bloomington on Saturday. They’ve also beaten Thornwood, Bloom and Scanlon, NY. while only losing to Marian Catholic. Guards Robert Harvey and Jalen Hughes are taking turns putting up big scoring games.

Proviso East: The Pirates are back after knocking off Willowbrook in overtime on a rebound and jumper from senior Jaelon Hood. Star guard Quinlan Bennett has returned from injury sooner than expected and given a big boost.

Wheaton-Warrenville South: Last season’s Cinderella squad is undefeated and everyone has learned not to count out coach Mike Healy’s Tigers. They picked up a big win against rival Wheaton North on Friday.

Rich East: Craig Hodges might have something special happening in Park Forest. The Rockets are loaded with scorers and play an up-tempo style. They’ve knocked off Riverside-Brookfield, Morton and Wheaton North and lost to Oak Park, which is looking like one of the area’s elite teams.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Morgan Park at Bogan, Tuesday: The Bengals dropped out of the Super 25 after losing to St. Charles North and they aren’t at all happy about it. The Mustangs will have their hands full in one of the city’s most difficult gyms to win in.

Homewood-Flossmoor at Lincoln-Way East, Friday: The Griffins and star Sam Shafer are unbeaten and have been a Super 25 mainstay so far this season. But let’s be honest, no one believes in them yet. That could change with a win against the always-solid Vikings.

Hillcrest vs. Romeoville at Mount Carmel, Saturday: Joliet West transfer Eddie Creal scored 29 for Romeoville on Friday against Plainfield South. The Spartans are loaded with talent, the deepest team in the suburbs. But they haven’t proven anything yet, haven’t properly earned the ranking. This would be a big first step.

Curie vs. St. Rita at Mount Carmel, Sunday: The Condors beat Orr without Maurice Commander on Thursday. It wasn’t a well-played game by either team, but that is still a huge statement win. They would have been No. 1 if not for a stumble in Kentucky on Saturday. Traevon Martin came up big against the Spartans, if he is playing well the Mustangs are in trouble.