Preseason Team Rankings: 20-16

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've now reached the top 20 of our preseason rankings for this season. This list features threats from the catholic league, mid-suburban conference, and central suburban conference. We also have a team from downstate!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>20. St. Ignatius</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I love what Matt Monroe has done with the Wolfpack over the past few years. Taking a mediocre program and making them a perennial catholic league and playoff threat. They lose a couple key players from last season, but the group returning will definitely create some noise. Leading the way is 2026 PF [player_tooltip player_id='2323283' first='Chris' last='Bolte'], who recently committed to Yale. 2028 PG [player_tooltip player_id='2531962' first='Amir' last='Tucker'], a top-15 sophomore, could have a key role this season, too. 2026 G Napoleon Harris adds leadership within this group and is poised for a strong season. Freshman and sophomore classes are deep. Impressing heavily this summer at the August camps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19. Evanston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildkits have always been a threat in the north suburbs. Last season, they won 31 games and they've got a ton to build off of leading into this year. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2531970' first='Ben' last='Ojala'] was a difference-maker as a freshman last season. The 6'1" point guard is an elite-level scorer who can knock down shots from anywhere on the floor. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2540157' first='Vito' last='Rocca'] is a top-25 prospect in his class who plays intensely on both ends of the floor. This group is the definite favorites in the central suburban conference heading into the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18. St. Laurence</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The upside with this group is outstanding and they've got tons of players that can make an impact. The Junior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2323617' first='Markese' last='Peoples'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2125677' first='Reggie' last='Stevens'] bring a good amount of experience to this squad. Both of which are top-40 prospects in their classes. They also have [player_tooltip player_id='2385372' first='Noah' last='Corro'], a 2028 guard who has the ability to take over games with his pace and craftiness on the floor. He also had a role as a freshman last year. [player_tooltip player_id='2532014' first='Logan' last='Brown'], another sophomore, has tremendous upside at 6'5". This group has the potential to be scary over the coming years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17. Centralia</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Only one starter is gone from their 29-win tram that fell in the sectional championship last season. Leading the way is senior [player_tooltip player_id='2894776' first='Devin' last=''] Meier, a top 100 prospect in his class with excellent long-range abilities. Junior guards [player_tooltip player_id='2125643' first='Jaxson' last='Hancock'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2751229' first='Michael' last='Organ'] will play a big role, too. Look out for sophomore, Archie Goeway a top 20 prospect in his class with outstanding athleticism as a wing/forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16. Fremd</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fremd is looking to return downstate for the first time since 2017. Illinois State commit [player_tooltip player_id='2839970' first='Jordan' last='Williams'] is the headliner from this group. He really impressed over the summer with his athleticism as a 6'6" forward as his stock took a massive boost. [player_tooltip player_id='2540096' first='Rafael' last='Pinto'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2403723' first='Thomas' last='Moffett'], a top-70 player in the class, bring plenty of leadership. The Vikings won 27 games last season and return their nucleus. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->