By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

Alas, the weather cooperated last week, which meant lots of games across the state were played. It also meant that the competition was truer and, ultimately, teams have begun to separate themselves from each other.

Here’s a quick snapshot at the updated Illinois Top 25 team rankings … the movers, shakers, and the bleeders:

At the Top

+ Aside from a few shifts here and there, the top 10 remains intact for the most part. St. Rita and St. Laurence hold strong atop the rankings.

+ Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin moves up three spots to No. 3 after a flawless week.

+ Lemont (8-0) jumps to No. 4 after the Indians hammered defending 4A champion Mount Carmel, 11-2, in a first-round matchup of the loaded Steven M. Bajenski Memorial Tournament. LSU-bound left-hander Jake Latz made his 2014 debut and pitched four scoreless innings with nine strikeouts. With Latz now back in the rotation, Lemont should be extremely formidable.

Early-Season Surprises

+ No. 12 Champaign Central continues to impress as the Maroons have opened the season 15-0.

+ No. 17 St. Joseph-Ogden remains perfect at 12-0, which includes a doubleheader sweep of Teutopolis.

+ No. 18 Geneva is still unbeaten at 7-0, with some solid wins under its belt.

On the Rise

+ Providence, Brother Rice, Huntley, Homewood-Flossmoor

Just Missed the Cut

+ Richards, Mahomet-Seymour, St. Viator

Dropped out of Top 25

+ Metamora, Lincoln-Way Central, New Trier, Grant, and Barrington

Big Matchups This Week

Monday, April 14
No. 5 Minooka at No. 6 Joliet Catholic Academy 4:30
No. 13 Lincoln-Way North at No. 16 Sandburg 4:30

Tuesday, April 15
No. 15 Edwardsville at No. 14 O’Fallon 4:15
No. 13 Lincoln-Way North at No. 20 Homewood-Flossmoor, 4:30

Wednesday, April 16
No. 16 Sandburg at No. 20 Homewood-Flossmoor 4:30

Saturday, April 18
No. 4 Lemont at No. 13 Lincoln-Way North 11

CLICK HERE to view complete Top 25 Team Rankings