Illinois Preps Inisder’s girls basketball top-20: Week 5

We officially have a new number one.

After a crazy week of holiday tournaments, Maine West finds themselves at the top after cruising through Dundee-Crown.

Before I get chastised for not putting Montini number one after winning their own ridiculously tough tournament, after watching most of the top-10 teams play now I really believe Maine West is the best overall team. Now with that being said, the Warriors could easily lose to Geneva next Saturday at Benet, but thats neither here nor there.

Kenwood not playing this week really hurt them. It’s not so much a knock against Kenwood as it is that other teams stepped up over the holidays. Mustangs can play their way back into the rankings next week in New Orleans.

How about Mother McAuley by the way? That was a huge win against Nazareth at Montini. I’m having a hard time figuring out where to place them but they have proven themselves to be a top-20 team, so welcome back to the Mighty Macs.

This was a ridiculously tough week. There were a whole lot of teams right on the bubble, like a York, Trinity, Maine South and West Aurora just to name a few.

1. Maine West (17-0) 2

Dundee-Crown champions and last unbeaten in the area.

2. Montini (18-1) 3

Won their own tournament with win over previous number one Geneva.

3. Geneva (13-1) 1

First loss in a really long time for the Vikings.

4. Proviso East (14-2) 6

Third place at Montini.

5. Lincoln-Way East (15-1) 9

I need to go and see the Griffins soon. They just keep winning.

6. Loyola (14-2) 7

Extremely solid showing taking third place down in Florida.

7. Nazareth (16-1) 4

Unfortunate loss to McAuley, but managed to win their next two.

8. Benet (16-3) 5

I don’t want to punish Benet too much because they are still a very good team, but it was a very disappointing tournament for the Redwings.

9. Glenbard South (14-1) 19

Huge jump for Glenbard South. Have rattled off 14 straight after their opening loss to Geneva.

10. Bolingbrook (9-2) 11

Runner up in Ft. Lauderdale.

11. Marian (14-3) 11

Good, but not in the upper echelon of teams quite yet.

12. Wheaton-Warrenville South (14-3) 18

Playing much better as of late.

13. Marist (12-3) 10

Inexperienced showed at Montini, but they will be a okay.

14. Naperville Central (16-4) 13

Trinity and Honnegah aren’t bad teams, but you’d expect better from NC.

15. Simeon (11-3) 14

Rallied after WWS loss.

16. Glenbard West (14-3) NR

Hilltoppers had a great week. Welcome to the top-20.

17. Mother McAuley (11-5) NR

Hit or miss team, but when they’re on, they look really good

18. Wheaton North (12-3) 16

Okay, not great showing at their own tournament. Need to beat Naperville Central to stay in the rankings.

19. New Trier (13-3) 8

Two losses at Dundee-Crown not what the Trevians had in mind.

20. St. Ignatius (11-4) NR

Welcome back Wolfpack. Really good showing in the State Farm tournament. Not an easy place to win your first two games.