CSN Preps Power Rankings: Week 15

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The boys basketball season is winding down as the Class 3A and Class 4A state semifinals are this weekend after supersectional play on Tuesday.

The season is over for most basketball teams in the state and many of the teams in the latest @CSNPreps Power Rankings are done, but we still have plenty of important games to go before the final rankings next weekend. 

Here's a look at the Top 25 heading into the final week of the season.

1. Simeon (1) (28-3) — The Wolverines took down Marian Catholic and Thornton to advance to supersectional play in Class 4A. Simeon plays United Township at Illinois State on Tuesday.

2. Morgan Park (3) (26-3) — Morgan Park is heading back to supersectionals, where they'll face Lincoln-Way West at Joliet Central. The Mustangs beat rival Bogan for another sectional title at St. Laurence during the week.

3. Curie (5) (23-5) — The Condors beat rival Kenwood to win a sectional title on a thrilling buzzer-beater as they move on to face Notre Dame at Northwestern in Class 4A. 

4. St. Joseph (6) (24-8) — St. Joseph deserves a ton of credit for making another supersectional in Class 3A with a win over Fenwick as the team got a balanced effort. The Chargers play Ridgewood at the Sears Centre on Tuesday.

5. Benet (8) (29-3) — Benet advanced to the DeKalb Supersectional with a win over York as their tremendous season continues. The Redwings will face Joliet West at Northern Illinois on Tuesday night.

6. Notre Dame (21) (25-6) — Notre Dame rolled through a tough Glenbrook South Sectional with wins over Evanston and Deerfield as they get to face Curie in the Class 4A Evanston Supersectional at Northwestern. 

7. Fenwick (2) (28-3) — After a great season, it's all over for Fenwick, who lost to St. Joseph in the Class 3A Westinghouse Sectional. The Friars have an All-Area point guard in Mike Smith and some solid juniors like Jacob Keller and Jamal Nixon returning.

8. Kenwood (4) (22-5) — Also eliminated is Kenwood as they were bounced by rival Curie  finishing the season series at 2-2. The Broncos had great play from its seniors this season and are an emerging city presence. 

9. Joliet West (NR) (21-9) — Joliet West was able to take down Joliet Central for the Class 4A Lockport Sectional as this team filled with juniors and sophomores is a year ahead of schedule. Now the Tigers get a shot at Benet in the DeKalb Supersectional.

10. Conant (NR) (23-6) — Conant is having a tremendous season as they've moved on to the Hoffman Estates Supersectional at Sears Centre with a win over Lake Zurich in Class 4A. Now the Cougars get Rockford Auburn on Thursday. 

11. Lincoln-Way West (NR) (20-9) — Lincoln-Way West is a sectional champion in Class 3A as they came back to beat Hillcrest. In the Class 3A supersectional, Lincoln-Way West will get Morgan Park. 

12. Thornton (14) (25-4) — It was a very successful season for first-year coach Tai Streets and his team as Thornton fell to Simeon for a sectional title. Sam Taylor and Patrick Rucker had great senior seasons.

13. Deerfield (15) (28-4) — Deerfield's dream season has come to an end as they went down to Notre Dame. This was a fun group to watch as senior Jordan Baum and company made a lot of big shots and beat some great teams.

14. North Lawndale (9) (22-8) — North Lawndale went down to St. Joseph in the Westinghouse Sectional as it was a great season for Lewis Thorpe's team. The Phoenix were one of the breakout teams of the season.

15. Marian Catholic (10) (23-6) — The young Spartans played mostly juniors and sophomores and played some very good ball at the end of the season before losing to Simeon in the Bloom sectional semifinals. With a backcourt of Chase Adams and Brandon Hurt returning, the Spartans will be back next season.

16. Whitney Young (11) (19-9) — Talented but likely a year away, Whitney Young lost to Curie in the Class 4A Riverside-Brookfield sectional. The Dolphins still won a regional and have a lot of talent returning next season.

17. Vocational (13) (21-9) — Good season for Vocational, as they lost to Bogan in the Class 3A St. Laurence sectional. The Cavaliers had to play through a tough conference but handled it pretty well to make a postseason run.

18. Evanston (16) (23-6) — The Wildkits were one of the stronger teams in the area in the middle of the season before dropping a couple of games late and falling to Notre Dame in the Glenbrook South sectional semifinals. 

19. Stevenson (18) (24-7) — Stevenson surged towards the end of the regular season and ultimately came up short of repeating by falling to Deerfield in the Glenbrook South sectional semifinal. Junior Justin Smith could be a monster next season.

20. York (NR) (20-13) — York exceeded expectations by winning their own Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament and then making the sectional championship in Class 4A at East Aurora.

21. Glenbard West (21) (25-4) — Great season for Glenbard West, as they captured their first conference title in decades and had a special senior in Justin Pierce. The Hilltoppers also won a regional title and beat a lot of solid teams.

22. Leo (NR) (24-9) — Leo lost in the Class 1A state title game to LeRoy but they still had a great run and a solid season. Darias Branch opened a lot of eyes late this season with his play.

23. Hales Franciscan (NR) (20-14) — Very good state tournament run for Hales, who finished in fourth place in Class 2A. The Spartans were able to beat Orr in the supersectional, which was a big accomplishment.

24. Orr (12) (20-4) — Orr wasn't able to make a run to Peoria, but they were still sectional title winners in Class 2A. Sophomore Raekwon Drake is returning and should be a major factor next season.

25. Ridgewood (NR) (18-12) — Ridgewood is the surprise team in the Class 3A supersectional mix as they made a huge shot against St. Patrick to play St. Joseph at the Sears Centre. 

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