By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

Climbing

With the Class 1A/2A playoffs already underway, and Class 3A/4a in full swing starting Wednesday, our top two spots in the Power 25 remain unchanged. Edwardsville has won 13 games in a row, with only one loss on the entire season. Mount Carmel has been hot as of late, capturing the Bajenski Memorial Tournament title with big victories over No. 5 St. Rita in the semis and St. Laurence in the title game.

Joliet Catholic moves up to No. 3 thanks to winning the East Suburban Catholic regular season championship, typically one of the state’s deepest conferences. The Hilltoppers have won 13 straight heading into the playoffs and are one of the state’s hottest teams.

Champaign Central climbs to No. 7, finishing the regular season 31-4, and won the Big 12 conference title outright at 13-2.

St. Charles North makes an appearance in the top ten at No. 8, winners of 17 straight. The North Stars are quite possibly the hottest team in the state right now, and captured the Upstate 8 River conference title.

Prairie Ridge has won 28 of their last 29 games, after starting off the season slow at 2-4. The Wolves currently sit at 30-5 rounding out our top ten.

Sinking

St. Rita drops to No. 5, and although the Mustangs have lost six of their last ten games, the losses have come against quality opponents: No. 2 Mount Carmel, No. 13 Providence, No. 14 Brother Rice, and St. Laurence, who just missed the cut this week for the Power 25.

New to the Power 25

+ Nazareth
+ O’Fallon

Dropped Out

+ St. Laurence (21-11)
+ Fenwick (24-7)

Just Missed the Cut

+ Quincy Notre Dame (24-1)
+ Oak Forest (20-5)
+ St. Joseph Ogden (29-4)

IHSA Playoff Brackets

+ Class 4A
+ Class 3A
+ Class 2A
+ Class 1A

CLICK HERE to View the Complete Power 25 Rankings, complete with up to date records.