By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

Climbing

With St. Rita dropping two games this week, Edwardsville climbs into the top spot for the first time this season. The Tigers had big wins against Lockport, Highland, and Belleville West last week. Coach Tim Funkhouser’s team has won eight in a row, with their only defeat on the year coming against De Smet (MO).  

Mount Carmel, winners of 16 of their last 17, rises to No. 2; the only defeat being a non-conference matchup with No. 20 Jacobs two weeks ago.

At 23-2, Central State 8 leader Chatham Glenwood is a perfect 14-0 in conference play, two games up on No. 17 Sacred Heart-Griffin. The Titans swept the Cyclones earlier in the year, so SHG will need a little help to get back into the conference title picture.

Lincoln-Way West rises from No. 8 to No. 5, sitting at 21-3 atop the Southwest Suburban Red conference.

Prairie Ridge, winners of 18 in a row, rises to No. 6.

Alton rises from No. 12 to No. 7 and has won 12 of their last 13, the only loss coming to No. 1 Edwardsville.

No. 9 Joliet Catholic climbs back into the top ten with a perfect 5-0 week in ESCC play, sweeping St. Viator on Saturday.

Sinking

St. Rita may have dropped games to Providence and St. Laurence last week in the gauntlet that is the CCL Blue, but the Mustangs came back with a huge come from behind win over now No. 11 Brother Rice. The schedule doesn’t get any easier with Brother Rice again today, and one of the top matchups of the year with Mount Carmel on Wednesday and Saturday.

Providence drops from No. 3 to No. 14 after being swept by No. 11 Brother Rice during the week, and dropping a close 3-1 contest with No. 2 Mount Carmel on Saturday. The Celtics and the Caravan square off again today as Providence looks to get back on track.

New to the Power 25

Downers Grove South has won nine in a row, sitting at 20-3 atop the West Suburban-Gold, and makes their first appearance in the Power 25 at No. 21.

St. Charles North makes their return to No. 24 after ranking as high as No. 8 earlier in the year.

Morton also returns, rounding out the Power 25 at No. 25.

Dropped Out

+ Champaign Centennial
+ Normal University High
+Geneseo

Just Missed the Cut

+ Glenbrook North
+ Galesburg
+ Neuqua Valley
+ Cary Grove

Games of the Week

Monday

Providence at Mount Carmel 4:30
St. Rita at Brother Rice 4:30
Jacobs at McHenry 4:30
Homewood-Flossmoor at Joliet West 4:30
Montini at Marmion 4:30

Tuesday

Champaign Centennial at Champaign Central 4:30
Libertyville at Warren 4:30
Geneseo at Kaneland 4:30
Lincoln-Way West at Lincoln-Way North 4:30

Wednesday

Mount Carmel at St. Rita 4:30
Highland at Waterloo 4:15
Mundelein at Stevenson 4:30
Batavia at St. Charles North 4:30

CLICK HERE to view the complete Updated Power 25

On The Bubble: Glenbrook North 20-5, Galesburg 18-3, Neuqua Valley 19-6, Cary Grove 17-6-2, Evanston 19-5-1, Glenbrook South 17-6, New Trier 14-6-1, Normal U-High 23-3, Mahomet Seymour 21-5, Pontiac 19-8, , Barrington 19-7, Prospect 19-6, St. Laurence 18-8, Lincoln-Way North 17-8-1, Normal West 18-7-1, Champaign Centennial 23-5, Peoria Notre Dame 16-9, Niles Notre Dame 19-7, Benton 25-4, Burlington Central 21-5, Rockford Christian 26-5,Simeon 18-3, Geneseo 23-3, Moline 20-7, Washington 22-6, Taft 23-1, Grant 21-6, Lakes 17-6-1, Lockport 15-8, Bradley-Bourbonnais 14-7, Freeburg 22-2