Way Too Early 2026-2027 Team Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's never too early to take a look at some of the best programs to watch for the 2026-2027 season. As of now, there's numerous teams who swill rely be threats in 3A and 4A that we've ranked in this list. But we do expect things to change as transfers and summer ball happens in the coming months. Here's a look at the top 25 with an unfamiliar name at the top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 Neuqua Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats lost just twice this season and return all their key players including top 2028 F [player_tooltip player_id='2531981' first='Cole' last='Kelly'] and Illinois signee 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2839878' first='Mason' last='Martin']. Other key guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2415557' first='Carter' last='Coviello'] around them are also back. Returning more than anyone heading in to next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2 Benet </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Redwings are losing some key pieces but will surely return enough to stay competitive. Led by top 5 2027 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2323620' first='Ed' last='Stasys'] as well as top 25 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2425956' first='Perry' last='Tchiegne']. Look out for [player_tooltip player_id='2869571' first='Brandon' last='Otten'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2426050' first='Blair' last='Fagbemi'] to have increased roles, too. Sophomore team also had a very strong season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 Warren</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reigning PrepHoops Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] headlines this squad as he's already been a starter since his freshma year. Look out for [player_tooltip player_id='2469077' first='Tayte' last='Cordova'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3037102' first='Cashius' last='Collins'] to step up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 East Peoria</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 2027 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2125674' first='Quinton' last='Kitt'] will lead the way. Cole Dubois, another top 2027 prospect, was crucial to a 29-win season this year. Expect the Raiders to be one of the favorites in 3A next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5 Bolingbrook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Raiders are losing a ton this season but are expected to bring back [player_tooltip player_id='2531973' first='Brady' last='Pettigrew'], a nationally ranked 2028 prospect who earned all-state honors this season. [player_tooltip player_id='2881313' first='Isaiah' last='Rogers'] was a strong contributor this season and is a top-30 rising senior to monitor. Look out for [player_tooltip player_id='2949600' first='Marlon' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2532021' first='Mason' last='Williams'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#6 Peoria Richwoods</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 2028 G [player_tooltip player_id='2531961' first='Amarion' last='Smith-Holley'] propelled the Knights to a super-sectional appearance as a 3-seed and gave Marist their toughest battle throughout the postseason. [player_tooltip player_id='2362360' first='Anfernee' last='Moore'], another rising junior, was crucial to their success this season, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#7 Centralia</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fresh off an outstanding 32-2 season, the Orphans will return much of their team coming up. That includes lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='2125643' first='Jaxson' last='Hancock'], who's a top 80 guard in the rising senior class. As well as rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='2751229' first='Michael' last='Organ'], who earned an all-state nod this season. Archie Goeway, [player_tooltip player_id='2826261' first='Kenny' last='Bratton'] are others to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#8 Glenbard North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two top-15 players in the 2027 class will headline this roster next season. One of which is 6'5" wing Oturo Rendento, the states #9 prospect who's taken a massive leap in our rankings recently. As well as [player_tooltip player_id='2125660' first='Lamari' last='Carpenter'], the states #15 prospect in that class who's an incredible all-around athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#9 Evanston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thre of the Wildkits best contributors are coming back. Two of which are [player_tooltip player_id='2531970' first='Ben' last='Ojala'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2540157' first='Vito' last='Rocca']. Both played incredibly well in the two sectional games I covered this postseason. [player_tooltip player_id='3427250' first='Tate' last='Schroeder'] is another name to watch who had some big time performances this season. A top 75 prospect in 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#10 St. Ignatius</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matt Monroe has made the Wolfpack a perennial threat in the catholic league. Next season should be no different. Rising Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2531962' first='Amir' last='Tucker'] will lead the way going forward as a dynamic combo-guard. [player_tooltip player_id='2125620' first='Duke' last='Ross'] is another top 40 2027 kid to monitor. Several exciting rising juniors in addition to ross are expected to make strong contributions, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next 15</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. St. Laurence</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12. Lockport</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13. Mt. Carmel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>14. Normal Community</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15. DePaul Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16. Lyons</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>17. York</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>18. Curie</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>19. Leo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>20. Homewood-Flossmor</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>21. Metamora</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>22. Whitney Young</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>23. Belleville West</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>24. Decatur MacArthur</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>25. Thornwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->