High School Lites preview: Week 8

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This week's edition of High School Lites has some important conference matchups including big games from the Public League Red-South, Southland, East Suburban Catholic Conference, Southwest Prairie, Upstate Eight River, Catholic League South and Central Suburban North. 

We'll also have a "Getting to Know" feature on Glenbard West senior Justin Pierce. The William & Mary commit has helped lead the Hilltoppers to an unbeaten start, while the Homewood-Flossmoor girls basketball team is our Team of the Week. 

You can catch High School Lites on Friday at 11 p.m. on CSN with replays at 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. Be sure to follow us on Twitter at @CSNPreps.

Thursday games

No. 2 Kenwood at DuSable, 5 p.m. — One of the top teams in the city, Kenwood (13-1, 8-0) goes on the road to play DuSable (2-9, 2-5). While the Broncos will be heavily favored, it's always important to pick up conference road wins.

No. 5 Bogan at No. 1 Morgan Park, 6 p.m. — One of the best matchups of the year, this Red-South showdown is a rematch from December. At Bogan on Dec. 17, Morgan Park (13-1, 6-0) won 79-58 despite Charlie Moore battling foul trouble and barely playing. Senior Jarrin Randall stepped up with 23 points. The Bengals (15-4, 6-2) will need senior James Jones to step up in this one to have a chance.

[MORE PREPS: AP Illinois high school boys basketball rankings: Week 8]

Friday games

Crete-Monee at Rich South, 6:30 p.m. — Crete-Monee is trying to remain one of the top teams in the south suburbs as it goes on the road in the Southland against Rich South (8-7, 2-2). The Warriors (13-4, 4-0) are talented, and they have a prominent local connection as Dwayne Rose, the nephew of Derrick Rose, is a talented junior at Crete-Monee.

Minooka at Plainfield North, 6:30 p.m. — An important battle in the Southwest Prairie as leader Minooka (15-7, 6-1) goes on the road to contender Plainfield North (11-7, 5-2). These two teams matched up on Dec. 4 with Minooka winning, 56-36, at home.

Batavia at St. Charles North, 7 p.m. — The Upstate Eight River leader goes on the road when Batavia (14-6, 6-0) heads to St. Charles North (3-10, 1-5). Bulldogs senior guard Cannan Coffey is having a great season and leads the way for Batavia. 

Elgin at Larkin, 7 p.m. — Another solid Upstate Eight River battle as Elgin visits Larkin. These two teams played on Dec. 3 with Larkin (10-7, 3-2) winning 84-80 on the road. Since then, Elgin (14-6, 3-3) has had a nine-game winning streak and played very well, so this rivalry game should once again be close.

[MORE PREPS: CSN Preps Boys Basketball Power Rankings: Week 7]

No. 13 Marian Catholic at Joliet Catholic, 7 p.m. — With as good as the East Suburban Catholic Conference has been, this game is looking pretty big. Marian Catholic (14-4, 2-0) is one of the most talented teams in the area, and it gives Joliet Catholic (14-2, 2-1) a test to see how good it really is. 

Leo at Seton Academy, 7 p.m. — Two underrated teams in the Catholic League South face off as Leo (15-3, 4-1) heads to Seton Academy (14-4, 4-1). Since falling to Thornton at the Big Dipper in December, Leo has won five straight games.

DeKalb at Yorkville, 7 p.m. — In our Viewers' Choice Game of the Week, DeKalb (16-3, 6-0) is one of the best teams in Northern Illinois, and it travels to Northern Illinois Big 12 conference opponent Yorkville (9-8, 1-3). The Barbs won their own holiday tournament this season and are coached by former UIC assistant and York head coach Al Biancalana. 

Glenbrook North at No. 25 Deerfield, 7:30 p.m. — The top two teams in the Central Suburban North collide as red-hot Deerfield (17-3, 4-1) hosts Glenbrook North (11-4, 4-1). These two teams played on Dec. 8, and Deerfield won 62-52 on the road.

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