Girls HS Basketball Rankings (Feb. 1st)

IHSA Playoff Preview (Chicagoland Area Teams)

If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times … I am not a huge fan of rankings. But I have to admit that it can be a fun exercise, and I do appreciate the work that goes into them sometimes. The amount of time and preparation that Mel Kiper puts into the NFL Draft is impressive.

But who is the G.O.A.T.? MJ or LeBron. I know it is not exciting to say, but there is no definitive answer to that question. Who was the #1 recruit from the 2020 Recruiting Class (Girls’ High School Basketball): Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink or Caitlin Clark? You can make an obvious argument that putting Caitlin Clark #1 was the right position, but Paige Bueckers was the National Player of the Year as a freshman. So, the truth is that both were worthy of that #1 spot.

I used to do NBA Mock Drafts and in 2021 I had three #1’s (Jalen Suggs, Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley). Cade is showing why he was the consensus #1 pick this season, but those other two guys are also tremendous players and still trending up.

I suppose in those previous examples a #1 did emerge — just like a #1 Girls’ High School Basketball team will emerge in March.

Now that I have done my Preface (“don’t get mad at me about the order”), I do believe there is value in media doing rankings (I am not media, by the way). Gary Parrish, who covers Men’s College Basketball, convinced me of this when he said that rankings are important because they create discussion, and they give teams exposure. A new program being ranked in the Top 25 (perhaps even for the first time) is something to celebrate. This ranking is not an opposition to what Kyle Williams is doing with the Chicago Sun Times — I love that he has started doing weekly Top 25 rankings. And rankings that differ is part of what Gary Parrish was talking about in terms of creating discussion. It is good and important to have viewpoints that are not the same. Also, seeing full page pictures of Girls’ High School Basketball players on the back of the Chicago Sun Times is amazing.

My February 1st Rankings are more or less an IHSA Playoff Preview as I will deviate a little bit from the standard ranking process (résumé wins, bad losses, etc.). Strength of Schedule is an important component as it reveals to me where certain teams stand in comparison to the top teams in the State. The biggest difference between my ranking order and perhaps where somebody else might think a team should be is that I give a lot of weight to how a team has looked as of late, how much they have improved from November/Early December, etc.

Just look at what Gonzaga MBB has done in the last few weeks. They suffered two losses in a row in conference play, gave up 200 points in two games — they then followed that up with a 105-62 win over Portland and avenged one of those two losses by defeating Oregon State 98-60. So, I would take into account perhaps the lack of consistency but also have the viewpoint that they are back on track and as good as I previously thought they were (despite those losses).

Before the season kicked off, a national media service wanted to know who the top teams in Illinois were going to be this season — that could potentially be ranked nationally.

Teams mentioned before the season started: Loyola, Benet, Kenwood, Fremd, Maine South, Nazareth, Waubonsie Valley, Whitney Young, Lyons (and out of the Chicagoland Area: Peoria Notre Dame and Alton). The team that emerged this season to join that top tier group has been Saint Ignatius College Prep — who has wins over Loyola, Nazareth and Peoria Notre Dame this season.

When the Selection Committee does the seeding for the NCAA Tournament, do they account for past history of programs in the tournament? I believe they do. As far as IHSA Girls’ Basketball goes, I am taking the same approach. Loyola, Fremd and Nazareth (Benet, too) have solid programs that I trust and have confidence that they will be in the mix as State contenders at the end of the season.

Last year I was able to get a grasp of the top teams in the state by December 11th (maybe even a little earlier than that). I kept that in mind this season, but decided I needed an extra week to put together a first ranking of the season. The High School games, including two different events, during the week of December 4-11 are amazing.

I also later added: DePaul College Prep, Carl Sandburg and Bloom.

On Jan. 16th, I wrote a note about Loyola and Nazareth trending up. Also, Saint Ignatius has Gabby Hinton back. I had Fremd (who battled Benet to the buzzer and had Alton on the ropes before falling in a 3OT thriller) firmly in my Top 4.

MaxPreps’ algorithm had Nazareth, Kenwood, Saint Ignatius and Loyola between 29.42 and 29.74. Close enough for you?

If I was part of a Selection Committe, my Chicagoland #1 seeds would be Benet, Kenwood, Lyons and there would be an argument for the 4th spot between Loyola and Nazareth. I know Saint Ignatius fans would point out what they did against both teams, but on January 23rd Loyola defeated Mother McAuley (#25 in my Rankings) 77-37. Saint Ignatius, the following day on January 24th, defeated Mother McAuley 54-43. As I worked through these rankings, Mother McAuley was a good litmus test (Hersey, too) to figure out where all of these teams stand in comparison to one another.

State Contending Tier (Top 9 has not changed):

1. Kenwood - I have never understood why Ariella Henigan has been overlooked as one of the best players in Illinois. Danielle Brooks (Jr.) is a sniper with a developing attacking and passing game. How far can this dynamic backcourt go in the playoffs? Kenwood is experienced and have Diann Jackson (Post) and London Walker-George (a multi-dimensional Forward) to complement their backcourt. Walker-George is a force. Kenwood’s 82-72 win over Lift for Life Academy (ranked 7th in Missouri) was impressive. The backcourts for both teams were in constant attack mode (Zha’varia Harris for Lift for Life Academy is lightning-quick). Kenwood’s offense is explosive.

2. Benet - 12 wins over Top 25 teams. Someone asked me, “Why has Benet been so tough this season?” I said, “They are so good from 1-5 and Aria Mazza has been shooting the lights out.” Mazza and Ava Mersinger is an all-time underrated backcourt. If you ever watch a Benet team when they get down 10 points, I can almost guarantee that they will figure out a way to get back into the game. Lindsay Harzich’s shotmaking brought Benet back against Prospect (down 10). With all of that being said, I believe the ceiling of Benet this season hinges on Emma Briggs and Bridget Rifenburg. Sailer Jones is on my All-Underrated team.

3. Loyola - A 66-41 dominant performance over Fremd on January 20th may have put everyone on notice. Their offense is a machine right now led by Senior Aubrey Galvan. Clare Weasler had 18 (or 19) points in the 1st Half against Glenbrook South the other night. They share and move the ball as well as anyone. In their last 9 games, Loyola is averaging 66.9 points/game (scoring at least 60 in all 9) — that is the equivalent of 100 points/game in the NBA. I learned my lesson last season, however, not to underestimate their defense. Marycait Mackie is on my All-Underrated team — her offensive rebounding is amazing by itself. Throw in the fact that she is 5’6” and it will blow your mind when you see it. Grace Bronski and Emily Naraky are X-Factors in the Post.

4. Nazareth - A question I heard from someone: “Is Nazareth going to be down this season?” … after finishing in 2nd place (3A) in 2022, winning State (3A) in 2023 and finishing 2nd (4A) last season? The answer after defeating the #1 team in WI (Arrowhead) and the #1 team in IL (Benet) in a span of 5 days … No.

   Allia von Schlegell has been shooting with a ton of confidence lately. I knew Sophia Towne could shoot it, but I did not know she could pass like that, and Stella Sakalas is one of the best Juniors in the State who can score in a variety of ways. Nazareth’s (notorious) defense led the way in avenging their previous loss to #1 Benet. Don’t sleep on Lyla Shelton’s shooting.

5. Lyons - Should Lyons be higher? Frankly, yes. Maybe I technically should not have Loyola and Nazareth ahead of Lyons, but as mentioned earlier I give weight to how much teams have improved. I knew Lyons was trending up last season. I had them as a borderline Top 15 team and was not surprised that they battled Nazareth in the Playoffs, losing a close one 44-40. There is no one in Illinois who can guard Nora Ezike 1 on 1. Emma O’Brien is one of the best catch-and-shoot shooters in the State who can get deflections 30 feet from the basket (O’Brien plays the top of their 1-3-1 Defense) and block shots around the rim. Gwen Smith is much more than a third wheel.

6. Saint Ignatius - Reganne Reardon has been one of the top stories in Illinois this season. She has been tremendous. Honestly, I was mad at myself for thinking I was late to the party on how good she is — but then I looked at my old notes (April 30, 2024) and I had her listed as players that I would recruit if I were coaching [I don’t put just anybody on that list]. Maggie Helms has been doing all of the little things. Sally Kennedy hit one of the biggest shots I have seen this season against Peoria Notre Dame. Isabella Keberlein and Gabby Hinton make Saint Ignatius a legitimate state contending team.

7. Whitney Young - Led by Destiny Jackson, WY ended Loyola’s 43-game winning streak in December (without Kiaya Johnson — I hope she can get back on the floor this season). Played a tough out-of-state schedule and was impressive against Maine South on January 20th. Having Whitney Young ranked #7 is a perfect example why Rankings can be a flawed exercise because if you were to tell me that WY should be in the Top 3, I would not argue with you. Alana Shields is a dynamic PG who can disrupt opposing guards defensively. Gaby Domercant is a sniper. Whitney Young’s MaxPreps’ Strength of Schedule of 17.7 is #2 in Illinois (tied with Benet), 2nd only to Edwardsville.

8. Fremd - After a 3rd-place finish last season, falling just short against Loyola (43-40) in the Semifinals, Fremd was clearly one of the top state contenders going into the 2024-25 season. They returned a lot of experience in the backcourt — 3 Guards (now Seniors): Ella Todd, Coco Urlacher and Ellie Thompson this season. Greta Thompson (Class of 2026) is a versatile G/F who can shoot it. Fremd and (#1) Benet played one of the best games of the season on December 28th. Ella Todd’s 3-pt shot at the buzzer to tie the game was halfway down before it popped out. Fremd followed the Benet game with a 3OT loss to Alton (who is currently ranked #4 in MaxPreps’ IL Ranking) — and, frankly, it felt like Alton escaped with a win that day. Todd had 30 points against Alton. Urlacher had 27 against Benet. Those two games (despite the losses) proved how formidable Fremd will be in the playoffs.

9. Waubonsie Valley - Coming off of a run downstate last season, WV was poised to be even stronger this season. They have 5 wins against teams that I have ranked between #10 and #16. They played Fremd earlier this season and got down big but made a comeback with a 3/4-Court Zone Press. Danyella Mporokoso had 40 against Hersey (who is a tough defensive team) — it was an impressive 40, honestly. Arie Garcia-Evans is an X-Factor and Lily Newton provides a perimeter-shooting threat. They are 0-1 against teams in this Tier and 5-0 vs. the Dark Horse Tier. WV got a taste of playing downstate last season and those teams are always more dangerous the following season.

   1. Why I should have Lyons higher who are also looking to take it one step further.

      Dark Horse Tier (I have expanded from 3 teams to 7) - and there are a couple more teams knocking on the door

10. Huntley - Wins over Maine South and Prospect.

11. Prospect - Wins over St. Charles East, Maine South, Libertyville and Glenbrook South.

12. St. Charles East - Wins over Prospect and Glenbrook South.

13. Maine South - Wins over Libertyville, Lake Zurich and Glenbrook South.

14. Libertyville - Wins over Lake Zurich (twice) — and even though I tried to get this done before February 1st. They got a win over Glenbrook South (2/1).

15. Lake Zurich - Win over Glenbrook South.

16. Glenbrook South - Wins over Maine South and St. Charles East. Gina Davorija should have been a Preseason Illinois Player of the Year candidate.

Cracked the Top 25:

17. Marist - Lost 22 games last season. Have won 21 games this season already. Wins over Marian Catholic, Lockport and Montini Catholic. Caroline Flynn is on my All-Underrated team (probably #1 on that list - makes so many subtle, instinctual winning plays).

18. Marian Catholic - Split 2 games with Marist. Lost to Nazareth 42-38.

19. Lockport - Wins over Montini Catholic and Homewood-Flossmoor.

20. Batavia - Wins over Homewood-Flossmoor and St. Charles North.

21. Homewood-Flossmoor - Wins over Lockport and Marian Catholic.

22. Montini Catholic - Wins over Mother McAuley and Marian Catholic.

23. St. Charles North - Win over Glenbard West.

24. Glenbard South - 23-2 on the season with a low Strength of Schedule, but they played Waubonsie Valley to a score of 52-48 on Dec. 28th.

25. Mother McAuley - Win over Marist. Battled #14 Libertyville tough without Taji Alexa.

    MaxPreps’ Rankings (As of January 27th): 26 thru 64

    ***MaxPreps had Mother McAuley at #25 (I use MaxPreps as a tool, but do not follow it 100% — just a coincidence that I put them #25 as well.)

26. Phillips

27. Lincoln-Way East

28. Lincoln-Way West

29. Trinity

30. DePaul College Prep

31. Hinsdale Central

32. Glenbard West

33. Downers Grove North

34. Stevenson

35. Bolingbrook

36. Glenbrook North

37. Cary-Grove

38. Bloom

39. Providence Catholic

40. Sandburg

41. Rolling Meadows

42. Grayslake Central

43. Hersey

44. York

45. Saint Viator

46. Lake Forest Academy

47. Lane Tech

48. Crane Medical

49. Wauconda

50. Wheaton-Warrenville South

51. Perspectives Leadership Academy

52. Oswego East

53. Butler

54. Thornton Fractional North

55. Waukegan

56. New Trier

57. Wheaton North

58. West Aurora

59. St. Edward (Elgin)

60. Mundelein

61. Hononegah

62. Stagg

63. Carmel

64. Oak Lawn

    My Sleeper (Dangerous) Playoff Team … That no one in the playoffs will want to play: Hersey

I said before the season officially kicked off that “I think Hersey will improve as much as anyone during the season.” The two teams that I picked last year in terms of improving throughout the season were: Benet and Libertyville. This was an “off the record” quote from me (before the season started) that I will share here:

IHSA Playoff Brackets will come out on February 7th (around 4pm). Giddy Up.