CSN Preps Power Rankings: Final edition

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With the IHSA boys basketball season coming to a close, it's time to take a look at the final edition of the @CSNPreps Power Rankings.
 
The Curie Condors and head coach Mike Oliver captured their first boys basketball state title in school history and they're the only area team to win a state title. The area also had Benet, Simeon, St. Joseph and Lincoln-Way West all make it to Peoria while some great teams fell short like Morgan Park, Notre Dame and Fenwick. 
 
Here's a final look at the Power Rankings
 
1. Curie (28-5) — Senior guard and DePaul commit Devin Gage capped a great high school career with a  Class 4A state title as the Condors can now be viewed among the city's truly elite programs.
 
2. Benet (31-4) — The Redwings didn't have a Division I player, but they still made the Class 4A state title game with one of the most balanced teams in the area in the last few years. 
 
3. Simeon (30-4) — Taking home third place was not the goal for the Wolverines, but they still won the Public League Playoffs and senior guard Zach Norvell was tremendous this season.
 
4. St. Joseph (25-10) — Not many expected the Chargers to return to Peoria in Class 3A with star center Nick Rakocevic as the only senior, but the team's young guards -- led by freshman starter Marquise Walker -- stepped up.
 
5. Lincoln-Way West (22-10) — The giant killers of the Class 3A playoffs, the Warriors knocked off Hillcrest, Morgan Park and Peoria Manual before falling to Belleville Althoff for the state title. 
 
6. Morgan Park (26-4) — It felt odd not seeing the Mustangs in Peoria this season, but head coach Nick Irvin has plenty of talent returning as sophomore Ayo Dosunmu could be a star next season.
 
7. Notre Dame (25-7) — The Dons finished an up-and-down season with a loss to Curie but made a nice late-season push to play their best basketball. 
 
8. Fenwick (28-3) — One of the area's best teams to not win a sectional title, the Friars have some promising juniors returning for next season like Jacob Keller and Jamal Nixon.
 
9. Kenwood (22-5) — Kenwood firmly put itself on the map this season by making the Public League Playoff title game and proving that they could hang with the big boys. 
 
10. Joliet West (21-10) — Joliet West fell to Benet in super-sectionals but still had a great season and they'll be one of the major contenders next season with a ton of returning talent.
 
11. Conant (23-7) — The Cougars were the class of the Mid-Suburban League this season and junior Jimmy Sotos and some good returning big men means this team will be good again next season.
 
12. Thornton (14) (25-4) — Things could not have gone much better for first-year head coach Tai Streets as he's made the Wildcats a program to watch the South Suburbs.
 
13. Deerfield (15) (28-4) — A dream season for Deerfield as they were a team that played well together led by senior Jordan Baum.
 
14. North Lawndale (9) (22-8) — North Lawndale was one of the best teams in the city this season as the Phoenix were Red-West champs.
 
15. Marian Catholic (10) (23-6) — Saving some of their best ball for the end of the season, Marian Catholic returns most of its lineup next season and should be a title contender.
 
16. Whitney Young (11) (19-9) — The Dolphins are another team who could be even better next season as junior Lucas Williamson and sophomore Xavier Castenada both return.
 
17. Vocational (13) (21-9) — Vocational had a very solid season in the Red-South as they continue to quietly be one of the better programs in the city.
 
18. Evanston (16) (23-6) — Evanston fell short of expectations by sputtering down the stretch but with a star junior in Nojel Eastern, they could be a threat next season.
 
19. Stevenson (18) (24-7) — Another team that found its stride late in the season, Stevenson will have one of the area's premier players next season in junior Justin Smith.
 
20. York (NR) (20-13) — Not many predicted this good of a season from the Dukes but they won their own 32-team Jack Tosh Holiday Classic before making a sectional final in 4A.
 
21. Glenbard West (21) (25-4) — The Hilltoppers captured their first conference title in 43 years behind a senior-laden group led by All-Area player Justin Pierce. 
 
22. Leo (NR) (24-9) — The Lions made a run to the Class 1A proceedings in Peoria but ultimately fell short to LeRoy in the championship game.
 
23. Hales Franciscan (NR) (20-14) — Hales earned an impressive late-season win over Orr and then finished in fourth place in Class 2A.
 
24. Orr (12) (20-4) — The Spartans fell short of making it to Peoria in Class 2A but they have a very talented sophomore in Raekwon Drake coming back for next season.
 
25. Ridgewood (NR) (18-13) — Ridgewood made a surprising run to super-sectionals where they fell to Conant but Zac Rzewnicki is a talented junior coming back.
 

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