There isn’t a ton of movement this week. Just two teams dropping and two joining, but Bogan has vaulted into the No. 2 spot after an impressive showing at the Chicago Elite Classic.
The new additions
Glenbrook South: It doesn’t look like any opponent is going to relish a trip to the Titan Dome this season. Conventional wisdom was the Phil Ralston’s Titans would be pretty dangerous in a month or so. That was clearly wrong. Dom Martinelli, Will King and Jimmy McMahon helped lead Glenbrook South to the upset of the season this week, a 61-54 win against then No. 2 Evanston.
Geneva: Ralston’s previous team is also off to a great start to the season. The Vikings beat Bartlett and handled an always tricky Wheaton-Warrenville South squad this week. An early win against Schaumburg is also looking better thanks to the Saxons’ recent success.
Dropping out
Providence-St. Mel (2-2): The Knights just didn’t show enough in a 73-53 loss at DePaul Prep. The sky is still the limit in the Class 1A state playoffs this season and it is definitely possible they find a way back into the rankings over the holidays.
Oak Park (4-2): Picked up a nice win against Hinsdale Central last week but then lost in overtime to rival Fenwick at the Chicago Elite Classic.
The week ahead
—Mount Carmel hosts the loaded Team Rose Classic on Saturday and Sunday. More than a dozen ranked teams face off over the two days. Bloom takes on Morgan Park in the marquee matchup on Saturday.
—Morgan Park has another major challenge this week. The Mustangs host rival Bogan on Tuesday. This is always one of the most hotly-contested, high-level games of the season.
—Rolling Meadows and star sophomore Max Christie face two stout Mid-Suburban League tests this week. The Mustangs travel to Palatine on Tuesday and host Buffalo Grove on Friday. Christie is living up to the hype so far this season and Rolling Meadows is 4-1. The Bison also have a young star. Freshman Kam Craft, an excellent shooter, scored 31 against Grayslake Central in his varsity debut.
With record and last week’s ranking
1. Young (2-0) 1
Justin Warren is solid
2. Bogan (5-0) 4
Even better than expected
3. Bloom (6-0) 5
Huge test Saturday vs. Morgan Park
4. Morgan Park (3-1) 3
Marcus Watson is tough
5. Bolingbrook (5-0) 6
Winning without Tyler Cochran
6. Curie (5-0) 8
Won in Marshall County
7. Evanston (5-1) 2
Lost to Glenbrook South
8. St. Viator (5-1) 9
Jeremiah Hernandez fills it up
9. Simeon (0-1) 7
Ahamad Bynum has arrived
10. Homewood-Flossmoor (4-1) 10
Hosts Lincoln-Way East Friday
11. Leo (4-1) 12
Huge win vs. Loyola
12. Oswego East (5-0) 13
Plays St. Viator Saturday
13. Marian Catholic (4-1) 14
At Marist Friday
14. Benet (6-0) 15
Colin Crothers stepping up
15. DePaul Prep (5-0) 16
Pavle Pantovic making an impact
16. Riverside-Brookfield (6-0) 17
Faces Farragut Saturday
17. Brother Rice (5-0) 19
Proving doubters wrong
18. Farragut (1-0) 20
At Young Monday
19. Waukegan (4-1) 21
Andre White Jr. fitting in
20. Hillcrest (4-2) 23
Hosts unbeaten Richards Friday
21. Glenbrook South (6-0) NR
Dom Martinelli is a force
22. Downers Grove North (5-0) 24
At Lyons on Friday
23. Uplift (2-1) 11
Lost to Evanston
24. Geneva (6-0) NR
Mitch Mascari can shoot
25. Kenwood (4-2) 25
Lost to Waukegan