Chicago high school basketball rankings for Dec. 22, 2019

Three new teams join and Orr and Simeon barely hold on.

By Michael O’Brien

Mundelein’s Conor Enright (4) drives the ball past Lake Park’s Montrell Perry (1).

This was a rough week to do the rankings, the worst of the season so far. Orr, which lost to Crane, and Simeon, which lost to Curie and Homewood-Flossmoor and barely survived U-High, both managed to survive in the Super 25.

That wouldn’t happen most weeks based on the resumes of the Spartans and Wolverines. Orr’s best wins are Farragut and Westinghouse. Simeon’s only quality win is Westinghouse.

I couldn’t justify adding any of the other undefeated or one loss teams out there right now over Simeon or Orr.

An unsolicited piece of advice for coaches and athletic directors: If you have a good basketball team schedule some high-quality opponents. A lot of the schedules for teams I’m considering for the rankings right now are really, really disappointing.

New additions

Oak Park (5-3): It’s time to forgive the Huskies for the rough start to the season. That win against Stevenson has stuck in my mind.

Kankakee (8-1): The Kays only loss was at Bloom. They knocked off one of the best teams in Kentucky recently.

Hinsdale South (8-0): There isn’t a major win on the Hornets’ schedule yet but there are solid ones against Naperville Central, Morton and Willowbrook. Billy Durkin and Aaron Tims make this team a real factor at York.

Dropping out

Bolingbrook (6-3): This should put a nice fire under the Raiders. Don’t be surprised if they go out and win the York Tournament now. The Raiders have lost two good teams, Thornton and Lincoln-Way Central, but are currently without a quality local win.

Lake Park (9-1): Seems harsh to drop a team after losing a close game at Mundelein but I was in a prove-it mood. The Lancers will likely reappear soon this season, they are solid.

North Lawndale (8-2): Also a bit harsh, but the Phoenix were blitzed by Curie 79-60 over the weekend. They should be a major factor at Bloomington this week though.

With record and last week’s ranking

1. Bloom (9-1) 1
A lot to prove at Pontiac

2. Evanston (9-0) 2
Heavy favorites at Centralia

3. Notre Dame (10-2) 3
Favorites at Wheeling

4. Bogan (10-1) 4
Should win Proviso West

5. Morgan Park (5-2) 5
Beat Thornwood

6. Curie (7-0) 7
Added Saiveon Williams

7. Young (5-4) 6
Lost a pair on the road

8. Marian Catholic (7-2) 8
Handled St. Rita

9. Homewood-Flossmoor (7-1) 13
Beat Simeon

10. Thornton (9-0) 11
Not happy about this ranking

11. Lincoln Park (10-2) 9
Spending the holidays in Michigan