Kyle Williams' Super 25 high school girls basketball rankings for Jan. 4

Providence senior Eilish Raines is a guard in name only.

She's playing the position by necessity because of the Celtics' need. But she's handled the transition as smoothly as one could expect as the Celtics have surged to a 16-2 start this season.

"She doesn't really care about points, but she knows she's got to get a couple [to keep the defense honest]," coach Eileen Copenhaver said. "But her vision is really good. Her assist-to-turnover ratio right now is outstanding because she understands how to get the ball to her teammates. She's trying to draw in the defense and give it to [senior Landrie Callahan]."

Raines' unselfishness helps power the team. Providence thrives on living in the paint. With Callahan, 6-0 junior Layken Callahan and 6-0 junior Taylor Healey, the Celtics have a height advantage against most teams. But feeding the forwards in advantageous spots falls on Raines.

She has a remarkable ability to control the pace and feed her forwards in stride. For a player who isn't a nominal forward, she's been a big part of why the Celtics are off to a strong start with hopes of playing deep into March.

Games to watch this week

Marist vs. Benet, Monday, 7:00 p.m.

Benet (No. 1) faces off against Marist (No. 9) in a rematch after the two met in the championship game of the Montini Christmas Tournament. Benet won the first matchup 59-38.

Marist is a fun offense to watch when they're clicking and hitting shots. In the first matchup, Benet did a great job of shutting down the RedHawks' dribble penetration and forcing them to take tough shots.

Marist junior forward Lily Porter scored 29 points in a semifinal game against Lyons, but had just five points against Benet.

Benet is a senior-led group with multiple strong defenders at its disposal. Their trio of point guards — seniors Sailer Jones and Ava Thomas, and junior Ava Mersinger — are stout defenders who have the lateral quickness to stay in front of their matchup defensively.

Senior forward Emma Briggs is a glass-cleaning machine, limiting teams to mostly one-shot possessions. Senior forward Bridget Rifenburg is a do-it-all forward who can dribble, pass and shoot.

The matchup will be fun to watch to see how Marist adjusts to the ball-pressure that Benet brings.

Loyola at Naperville Central, Monday, 7:00 p.m.

This matchup could be one of the best games of the entire regular season. Naperville Central has Clemson recruit Trinity Jones — one of the top 25 best players in the country — and senior guard Erin Hackett, who is third on the Redhawks' all-time scoring list.

Naperville Central is coming off a come-from-behind Dundee Crown Komaromy Classic win against Maine South. Jones scored 40 points.

Loyola has junior forward Emily Naraky, who has grown tremendously in her face-up game. The Ramblers also have senior guards Marycait Mackie and Clare Weasler, who are used to the veteran stage.

Notes

• Waubonsie Valley guard Arie Garcia-Evans crossed the 1,000th-point threshold on Saturday.

• Hersey guard Kate Donovan set the school record for career steals.

The Super 25, with record and last week’s ranking:

1. Benet (12-1) 1

Plays Marist on Monday

2. Waubonsie Valley (16-0) 2

Plays Naperville North Thursday

3. Naperville Central (13-2) 4

Beat Maine South

4. Loyola Academy (13-2) 4

Plays Naperville Central Monday

5. DePaul Prep (15-1) 5

Plays Loyola Thursday

6. Lyons (13-4) 6

Plays York Friday

7. Nazareth (11-3) 7

Plays Carmel Wednesday

8. Kenwood (13-4) 8

On a three-game winning streak

9. Marist (14-3) 9

Rematch Monday against Benet

10. Fremd (13-3) 10

Plays Prospect Tuesday

11. Carmel (12-4) 11

Beat Joliet Catholic

12. Maine South (13-3) 12

Beat Montini

13. Mother McAuley (12-3) 13

Beat Bloom

14. Providence (16-2) 14

Loss to Notre Dame Academy (WI)

15. Glenbard West (16-1) 20

Plays Metea Valley Tuesday

16. Downers Grove North (15-2) 14

Beat Proviso West

17. Prospect (10-6) 17

Beat Huntley

18. Glenbrook South (11-5) 18

Plays Niles West Monday

19. Hersey (10-4) 15

Beat New Trier

20. St. Charles East (9-5) 19

Beat New Trier

21. Libertyville (12-3) 21

Plays Waukegan Wednesday

22. Bolingbrook (9-2) 23

Plays Plainfield Central Tuesday

23. Trinity (10-4) 22

Plays Fenwick Tuesday

24. Bloom (14-2) 24

Loss to Mother McAuley

25. St. Ignatius (11-6) 25

Beat Plainfield South