Michael O’Brien’s Super 25 high school basketball…

Michael O’Brien’s Super 25 high school basketball rankings for Dec. 11, 2022

St. Rita’s James Brown (13) reacts during the game against Brother Rice. (Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times)

Another long weekend of high school basketball is in the books. I’ve now seen 21 of the 25 ranked teams play, so I have a much better handle on things.

The quick list of teams I’d say impressed me as better than I expected them to be in the preseason: Simeon, Joliet West, Benet, Hillcrest, St. Ignatius, Bloom, Lincoln-Way East, Hyde Park, Proviso East, Lemont.

Marist, Rolling Meadows, New Trier and Lyons are the four ranked teams I haven’t had a chance to cover yet.

Marist is the only team added this week. Oak Lawn falls out after losing to Evergreen Park and Hinsdale Central. The Spartans still have that big win over Mount Carmel on their resume though, so don’t forget about them.

A lot of the holiday tournament pairings were released over the weekend. Tomorrow I’ll post a story with everything I’ve seen so far. No word yet on Proviso West. It’s possible I will get the Big Dipper pairings tomorrow.

Super 25 for Dec. 11, 2022
With record and last week’s ranking

1. Simeon (6-0) 1
Playing in Arkansas next weekend

2. Kenwood (6-1) 2
Lost in Atlanta

3. Joliet West (7-2) 3
In Madison next weekend

4. St. Rita (4-3) 5
Won at Brother Rice

5. Young (4-3) 4
Went 1-2 in DC

6. Brother Rice (9-1) 6
Knocked off Bloom

7. Benet (8-0) 8
Hosts Marian Catholic Friday

8. Hillcrest (8-1) 9
Played well vs. East St. Louis

9. St. Ignatius (7-1) 10
Reggie Ray can play

10. New Trier (8-1) 18
Beat Rolling Meadows

11. Mount Carmel (8-1) 17
Took down Curie