Preseason Team Rankings: 20-11

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wednesday night, I unveiled the first 20 teams in out team rankings. For this list, I'll be sharing the teams ranked 20th-11th in our latest rankings. This list features several intriguing CPS and downstate powers. Almost all these programs are contenders to make it down state this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>20. Simeon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crazy to have a [program_tooltip program_id='2076046' first='Wolverines' last=''] squad start this low. 2026 SG [player_tooltip player_id='2617353' first='Andre' last='Tyler'] is a D1 product to watch. This group also has depth with [player_tooltip player_id='1385305' first='Lorenzo' last='Shields'], [player_tooltip player_id='1439013' first='Julien' last='Doyle'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2538967' first='Charles' last='Smith']. Rounding out the bunch is [player_tooltip player_id='2323264' first='Kassidy' last='Nelson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2323288' first='Isaiah' last='Coleman'], [player_tooltip player_id='2211161' first='Nico' last='Wright'], [player_tooltip player_id='1845362' first='Jocahana' last='Pullum'], [player_tooltip player_id='2125656' first='Kaijay' last='Brown'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19. St. Laurence</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This could be the year the Vikings were building for. [player_tooltip player_id='1550741' first='Jacob' last='Rice'], [player_tooltip player_id='1766461' first='EJ' last='Mosley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1545122' first='Caleb' last='Lindsey'] have been highly productive varsity players over the past couple years. They also have the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='1544818' first='Bradley' last='Stratton'], [player_tooltip player_id='1766462' first='Zerrick' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1552417' first='Jordan' last='Walker'], [player_tooltip player_id='2125677' first='Reggie' last='Stevens'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2323617' first='Markese' last='Peoples']. Look out for freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2532024' first='Noah' last='Corro'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18. Lincoln Park</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lions have made their way back to CPS relevance and will be a contender to win the Red North next to Whitney Young. Names to watch include [player_tooltip player_id='2105222' first='Chayse' last='Turner'], [player_tooltip player_id='1385284' first='Keyshawn' last='Barfield'], Ahmad [player_tooltip player_id='2403249' first='Lee' last=''], [player_tooltip player_id='2400893' first='Larry' last='Harris'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2542413' first='Alvin' last='Robinson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17. Curie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It seems like the condors are always ranked low to start the season and then work their way up to the top of the rankings. This team has the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='2617395' first='Jahkil' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2452415' first='Brad' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2540149' first='Tobyus' last='Banks'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1845358' first='Michael' last='Oliver'] jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16. Moline</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 4A champs were in a period of transition last season. Now they're ready to contend again. [player_tooltip player_id='1545132' first='Treyvon' last='Taylor'] is a physical threat that I've watched since he was a freshman. Look out for Cal Poly commit [player_tooltip player_id='1545138' first='Braden' last='Freeman']. They also have Deng Anwour, [player_tooltip player_id='2105429' first='Wood' last='Cary'], [player_tooltip player_id='2455383' first='Brady' last='Welch'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2455389' first='Arthur' last='Abbey'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15. Mt. Carmel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last seasons 3A runner-ups lose decorated senior Angelo Ciaravino to Northwestern. But they still have a group capable of making a splash in the CCL this season. [player_tooltip player_id='2105179' first='Grant' last='Best'] is a s[player_tooltip player_id='2403249' first='Lee' last='']per name to watch in 2025. [player_tooltip player_id='1385307' first='Cameron' last='Thomas'] also returns. [player_tooltip player_id='1845357' first='Noah' last='Mister'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2440187' first='Adam' last='McBrearty'] could be very impactful, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14. Rich Township</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adding [player_tooltip player_id='1766460' first='Al' last='Brooks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1766465' first='Ikee' last='Brooks'] was huge this summer. 2026 G [player_tooltip player_id='1845352' first='Jamson' last='Coulter'] is a difference-making point guard that can do it all. [player_tooltip player_id='2416198' first='TJ' last='Eaton'], [player_tooltip player_id='2532333' first='Jordan' last='Johnson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2400721' first='Nyshawn' last='Turner'] round out the group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13. Joliet West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tigers added a ton of contending pieces to this unit. First is Tennessee transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2045857' first='Ethan' last='Hillsman']. They also added [player_tooltip player_id='2617432' first='Mickeis' last='Johnson'] from Romeoville and [player_tooltip player_id='1766497' first='Zion' last='Gross'] from Crete-Monee. [player_tooltip player_id='2323265' first='Aamir' last='Shannon'], Luke Grevengood, and [player_tooltip player_id='2382662' first='Nasir' last='Sears'] are other names to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12. Metamora</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 products [player_tooltip player_id='1545146' first='Matthew' last='Zobrist'] (Bradley committ) and [player_tooltip player_id='1576619' first='Jonah' last='Funk'] will lead the way this season. Redbirds are becoming a perennial threat in 3A and Central Illinois. 2023 3A Champions will look for another return to state this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11. Kenwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crazy to have the Broncos this low with the talent on their roster. But there are still lots of questions with Mike Irvin resigning just before preseason. Top 2027 player [player_tooltip player_id='2125612' first='Devin' last='Cleveland'] will command the backcourt. 2025 SF [player_tooltip player_id='1385283' first='Aleks' last='Alston'] is a D1 prospect who's made an impact for the Broncos each of the past few years. [player_tooltip player_id='1385290' first='Amari' last='Edwards'] comes in from St. Rita this season. It will be interesting to see how this group fleshes together. Talent is definitely there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->