Kyle Williams' Super 25 high school girls basketball rankings for Feb. 22, 2026
The first week of the IHSA playoffs has already shown just how unpredictable this postseason will be.
Defending IHSA Class 4A champion Kenwood and DePaul Prep were knocked out early by Hinsdale Central and Lane, respectively. Kenwood's 50-49 loss was surprising. The Broncos were impressive in their CPS city championship win over Butler, with a stifling defense that performed well at the right time.
Hinsdale Central has had a roller-coaster of a season but found its stride in January, winning nine of 10 games — that one loss came by two points to No. 15 Glenbard West. But in February, the Red Devils lost 48-32 to Downers Grove North and 58-33 to Evanston. But they're now riding high on their momentum from beating Kenwood to another showdown with Downers Grove North. Tuesday's game will be the third matchup between the two teams this season and the Trojans are 2-0.
The Red Devils have one of the area's best seniors in Katherine Skinner. She scored 25 in the regional championship — Hinsdale Central's first since 2015 — against the Broncos. She's one of the best defenders in the area and will need to deliver a strong performance to keep the Red Devils' season going.
Sophomore guard Riley Orozco is an impressive floor spacer who was a West Suburban Silver All-Conference selection.
Lane's rise
Lane is better than its record indicates. I saw the Champions play in the city playoffs against Young and came away impressed despite Lane's loss. The Champions are at their worst when they turn the ball over, which leads to them losing the possession game.
But when they keep the turnovers low, the Champions are a formidable team. Sophomore Anais Harris is supremely impressive as a rebounder. She creates so many second-chance opportunities just off her hustle and activity around the rim. She's averaging 7.6 rebounds per game and is an impressive finisher in the paint. Sophomore Vega Ransom-Marks is an impressive scorer with a nice touch on her floaters and is adept at creating scoring chances for her teammates with her passing vision. Ransom-Marks is averaging 13.5 points on 42% shooting.
Lane has a chance to advance to the sectional championship if it can beat a balanced Maine South team on Tuesday.
Redhawks-Warriors part three
Naperville Central is 2-0 against Waubonsie Valley this season. For the Redhawks to keep their season going, they'll have to beat the Warriors a third time, which is hard to do. There's a familiarity between the teams after playing each other numerous times.
What's intriguing about this matchup is that each team boasts marquee players: Naperville Central senior forward Trinity Jones (Clemson) and Danyella Mporokoso (Illinois State). Mporokoso averaged 28.6 points this season and is one of the area’s best scorers. But Jones, a McDonald’s All-American, can also score with the best of them while being a deterrent on the defensive end.
The game will likely be decided by how well the Warriors can defend the Redhawks’ forwards — Jones and junior 6-4 forward Annabelle Kritzer.
The Super 25, with record and last week’s ranking:
1. Nazareth (30-3) 1
Plays St. Ignatius Tuesday in sectional semifinals
2. Loyola Academy (30-2) 2
Plays Evanston Tuesday in sectional semifinal
3. Waubonsie Valley (30-3) 4
Plays Naperville Central Tuesday in sectional semifinal
4. Benet (26-4) 5
Plays Bolingbrook Tuesday in sectional semifinal
5. Mother McAuley (24-6) 6
Plays Homewood-Flossmoor Tuesday in sectional semifinal at McAuley
6. Downers Grove North (29-2) 7
Plays Hinsdale Central Tuesday in sectional semifinal at Hinsdale Central
7. Naperville Central (26-6) 8
Plays Waubonsie Valley for the third time Tuesday
8. Fremd (25-6) 9
Plays Hersey Tuesday in sectional semifinal at Schaumbaurg
9. Providence (29-4) 10
Plays T-F North Tuesday in sectional semifinal at Hilcrest
10. Kenwood (25-7) 3
Lost to Hinsdale Central in regional championship
11. Carmel (23-9) 11
Plays Hononegah Tuesday in sectional semifinal at Guilford
12. Marist (25-8) 12
Plays Bloom Tuesday in sectional semifinal at McAuley
13. Libertyville (24-6) 13
Plays Huntley Tuesday in sectional semifinal at Guilford
14. Maine South (24-8) 15
Plays Lane Tuesday in sectional semifinal at Maine South
15. Glenbard West (27-4) 16
Plays St. Charles North Tuesday in sectional semifinal at Bartlett
16. Bolingbrook (25-4) 18
On eight-game winning streak
17. Prospect (21-10) 19
Plays Rolling Meadows Tuesday in sectional semifinal at Schaumbaurg
18. Hersey (21-7) 20
On four-game winning streak
19. Hinsdale Central (21-11) NR
Upset Kenwood in regional championship
20. St. Ignatius College Prep (21-11) NR
Beat Lyons in overtime
21. Evanston (18-10) NR
Beat Glenbrook South
22. Lane (17-15) NR
Knocked off DePaul Prep to advance to sectional semifinal
23. DePaul Prep (22-7) 14
Upset by Lane
24. Trinity (22-10) 23
Plays Latin on Tuesday in sectional semifinal at Trinity
25. Butler (20-11) 24
Loss to Marian Catholic