1. Whitney Young (17-1)
PrepsTalk: Think the Dolphins are ready for Saturday's game against Simeon? Jahlil Okafor, Paul White, Ausar Madison and company absolutely crushed nationally ranked Long Beach Poly (CA) over the weekend, 85-52.
2. Simeon (15-2)
PrepsTalk: Jabari Parker and Kendrick Nunn (28 and 21 points, respectively) came to play in another nationally-televised game. This time, they take down Oak Hill (VA) at the Spalding Hoophall Classic.
3. Morgan Park (17-2)
PrepsTalk: The Mustangs bounced back after a tough loss to Simeon with a 74-45 win over Perspectives-Calumet. They will have another Red-South tilt Wednesday against Julian.
4. North Chicago (19-1)
PrepsTalk: The Warhawks survived a missed T.F. North three-point attempt at the buzzer to get a quality 59-57 win at Whitney Youngs MLK Dream Classic. JaVairius Amos-Mays racked up 22 points.
5. Proviso East (14-3)
PrepsTalk: The Pirates continue to make quick work of the West Suburban Gold. Branden Jenkins and Sterling Brown each scored 16 points as East ran away from Downers Grove South on Saturday, 80-55.
6. Oswego (16-2)
PrepsTalk: The Panthers tamed the competition at Wheaton Warrenville South, defeating the host school, Bartlett and Metea Valley. Quick turnaround for Oswego, with Romeoville and Plainfield South this week.
7. Benet (18-3)
PrepsTalk: Pat McInerney (21 points, 10 rebounds) hit a game-winning free throw with 1.8 seconds left to propel Benet to an exciting 51-50 win over Marian Catholic Thursday. Keep an eye on this team come March.
News
8. Marian Catholic (19-2)
PrepsTalk: The Spartans picked up two wins at the Rockford Jefferson MLK Tournamenta 67-41 win over the host school and a 64-51 triumph over Belvidere. Tyler Ulis continues to impress.
9. Notre Dame (16-2)
PrepsTalk: Another statement win for the Dons, this time on the floor of arch-rival St. Patrick. Jake Maestranzi, Donte Stephenson and Eddie Serrano all scored in double-figures in NDs 54-51 win Friday.
10. Orr (15-2)
PrepsTalk: Another game, another win against an out-of-state foe. This time it was Saturday's 63-45 victory against Ottawa Hills (MI). Now things get interesting, with games against Farragut and Whitney Young this week.
11. Bloom (15-3)
PrepsTalk: The Blazing Trojans were successful at Joliet Centrals MLK Day of Hoops. They beat Danville 72-38 behind 14 points from James Coleman. Bloom now faces H-F Tuesday, then Rich Central Friday (both at home).
12. Niles North (18-3)
PrepsTalk: Lorenzo Dillard, B.J. Beckford and Malachi Nix continue to pace the Vikings, who were busy over the weekend at the Lake Zurich MLK Classic. Among the victims: Streamwood, Harlem and Wheaton North.
13. Neuqua Valley (19-2)
PrepsTalk: Neuqua's defense gets torched by Mundelein on Monday, falling 80-59. The Wildcats look to get back on the winning track at Lake Park on Thursday.
14. West Aurora (14-3)
PrepsTalk: The Blackhawks, after a tough loss to DuPage Valley foe Glenbard East on Friday, bounced back to defeat long-time rival East Aurora 78-45 on Saturday. Jontrel Walker scored 20 points in the win.
15. Stevenson (13-4)
PrepsTalk: The Patriots tie the Zee-Bees atop the North Suburban Lake standings with a 66-56 victory Friday night. Jalen Brunson was unstoppable26 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. Up next: Tuesday at Warren.
16. Brother Rice (16-2)
PrepsTalk: Jim Barista paced the Crusaders with 23 points in a road win at Nazareth last Tuesday. Tough stretch now for Rice: Tuesday vs. Marist, Friday vs. Seton, January 29th at Marian Catholic.
17. Curie (12-5)
PrepsTalk: The Condors took care of business in Michigan on Saturday in a 63-43 win against East Lansing. Cliff Alexander scored 26 points with 14 rebounds. Red Central foes Phillips and Harper are on deck.
18. Maine South (19-3)
PrepsTalk: The Hawks were very impressive in Galesburg. Their efforts included a 54-48 overtime thriller against Bloomington. Can Maine South ride the momentum off that win into Friday against Niles West?
19. Larkin (16-3)
PrepsTalk: The Royals saw their impressive 11-game winning streak come to an end Saturday against Geneva, 61-56. Note: Quentin Ruff hit six three-pointers Thursday against Streamwood.
20. York (15-4)
PrepsTalk: The Dukes forced 25 turnovers in a 68-31 win over the weekend against Elgin. David Cohn continues to shine. York goes back into West Suburban Silver play this Friday against Proviso West.
Looming and Lurking: Zion-Benton, Providence-St. Mel, New Trier, Oak Park-River Forest, Glenbard East, Bartlett, Seton, Stagg, Homewood-Flossmoor, St. Viator, Lemont, Montini, Lake Forest, Crystal Lake Central, St Rita, St. Edward, Bogan, Woodstock, Bartlett.
You can catch High School Lites, sponsored by Discount Tire, every Friday night at 10:30. We stream the show live at csnchicago.com.
Be sure to follow @PrepsTalkCSN and @JoeCSN for prep basketball coverage.