Michael O'Brien's Super 25 high school basketball rankings for Jan. 19, 2025

It may be time to retire the word "upset" this season. Anything can happen. The lack of dominant, assertive, talented senior guards means that most teams struggle through games, looking solid one day and confused the next.

The top tier doesn't have that problem. DePaul Prep, Rich, Kenwood and Bolingbrook have proven to be the class of the area through two months of the season.

There's been a shuffle in the second tier of the Super 25, however. Mount Carmel and Hinsdale Central vaulted up the rankings this week. It's time to let the Caravan's loss at Fenwick go a bit. They've played well since and gave DePaul Prep a good game this week.

Hinsdale Central has been on fire, winning its holiday tournament and ripping off 15 consecutive wins.

Benet and Brother Rice dip a bit after picking up losses. Waukegan, which is 4-3 against ranked opponents this season (more wins than Kenwood, Waubonsie Valley, Brother Rice, H-F and more) rises to No. 15.

There are three new additions: Loyola, Lake Zurich and St. Ignatius. All three teams had big wins this week. It's the season debut for Loyola. The Ramblers have a difficult week ahead with Mount Carmel and Evanston.

Super 25 high school basketball rankings for Jan. 19, 2025
With record and last week's ranking

1. DePaul Prep (19-1) 1
Beat St. Louis Vashon

2. Rich (13-4) 2
Handled Kankakee

3. Kenwood (18-1) 3
At New Trier Monday

4. Bolingbrook (19-2) 4
Unselfish, fluid

5. Waubonsie Valley (20-0) 5
Faces Marist on Saturday

6. Homewood-Flossmoor (17-2) 7
Tough, busy week ahead

7. Mount Carmel (17-3) 12
At Loyola on Friday

8. Hinsdale Central (18-2) 13
15 consecutive wins

9. Lincoln Park (17-3) 9
Tough one at Phillips Thursday

10. Benet (18-3) 8
Upset by St. Patrick

11. Brother Rice (17-2) 6
At DePaul Prep Friday

12. Niles North (16-5) 10
Lost to Evanston

13. Curie (13-5) 15
Hosts Simeon Tuesday

14. Fenwick (14-5) 11
Lost to Loyola

15. Waukegan (15-4) 22
Three-win week

16. Simeon (12-5) 16
At Fenwick Monday

17. Kankakee (13-3) 17
Lost to Rich

18. St. Laurence (16-5) 18
Heavy loss to Benet

19. Warren (13-5) 14
Challenging week ahead

20. Evanston (16-3) 25
At Metamora Saturday

21. Marist (18-2) 19
Hosts Brother Rice Tuesday

22. Lake Zurich (10-9) NR
Beat Warren

23. Loyola (16-4) NR
Beating good teams

24. Rolling Meadows (17-3) 24
Fell short vs. Mount Carmel

25. St. Ignatius (16-3) NR
Huge win at Brother Rice