School: Curie
2015-16 record: 28-5, 8-2 in the Public League Red-Central
Postseason results: Beat Benet, 65-59, in Class 4A state title game.
Players to watch: Senior guard Elijah Joiner will take the lead as the Tulsa commit is an All-Area candidate. Other seniors like Allante Pickens and Terry Smith are back on the perimeter while junior big men Treavon and Tyree Martin have shown positive signs of growth.
Why they're in the Power Rankings: The defending champions return most of last season's team as their perimeter trio is lethal and experienced. Head coach Mike Oliver has a tough team that plays together and already has the hardware to prove it.
Did you know?: Two of Curie's five losses came on technicalities last season as they only truly lost on the floor to Kenwood and Hyde Park -- two Red-Central rivals. One of those "losses" was actually a win over Thon Maker and Orangeville Prep that was forfeited since the Canadian team couldn't play IHSA opponents.