Michael O'Brien's Super 25 high school basketball rankings for Feb. 16, 2025

Kenwood brought out the best in two juniors this week. The junior class has disappointed across the state this season. But two Public League players took major steps forward in the semifinal and title games at UIC.

Young's Marquis Clark burst onto the scene last season and is a proven talent, but he hasn't picked up any headlines this season. The Dolphins didn't upset Kenwood in the semifinals on Thursday, but Clark was fantastic with 27 points.

"It's actual malfeasance not to talk about Marquis Clark as a Player of the Year candidate and top player," Young coach Tyrone Slaughter said. "What you saw [against Kenwood] he's been doing that against some of the best talent in the country."

Justin Oliver isn't as well-known as Curie senior Brad Johnson and junior guard Mike Oliver Jr., but he's quickly becoming the Condors' most dependable player. Oliver single-handedly kept Curie competitive in the second half of the championship game against Kenwood. He finished with 22 points and eight assists.

Waubonsie Valley's turn in the spotlight

Tyreek Coleman and Waubonsie Valley began the season No. 7 in the preseason Super 25 and ripped off 22 consecutive wins before losing to Marist on Jan. 25. That was the first major test of the season for the Warriors. They didn't pass and slipped out of the ranks of the elite teams.

Waubonsie Valley knocked off Warren on Saturday at Indian Creek. Coleman scored 22 points and underrated senior Moses Wilson added 19.

Sure, the Blue Devils have been defeated by several teams this season, but the victory is a sign that Waubonsie Valley can make a deep playoff run. The Warriors have another major test on Monday when the host No. 17 Kankakee.

Super 25 updates

St. Ignatius falls out of the rankings again after losing to Leo. The Wolfpack is one of about a dozen teams that have spent the season slipping in and out of the Super 25. Don't underestimate any of them in the playoffs. Niles North, Geneva, Rolling Meadows, Waukegan, Lemont, DeKalb, Loyola, Barrington, Bloom, Joliet West and Downers Grove North are all capable of making deep sectional runs.

West Aurora makes its Super 25 debut this week. The Blackhawks are unbeaten since Iowa football recruit Terrence Smith returned from an injury in January. West Aurora also features sophomore guard Travis Brown, one of the state's top players. The Blackhawks knocked off Brother Rice earlier this month.

Super 25 high school basketball rankings for Feb. 16, 2025
With record and last week’s ranking

1. Kenwood (27-1) 1
City champs

2. Bolingbrook (26-4) 2
Hosts Minooka Tuesday

3. DePaul Prep (26-3) 4
Beat Fenwick, De La Salle

4. Hinsdale Central (28-2) 5
25 consecutive wins

5. Waubonsie Valley (28-2) 7
Knocked off Warren

6. Marist (27-2) 6
Beat Joliet Catholic

7. Homewood-Flossmoor (26-3) 3
Lost to Hillcrest

8. Rich (20-7) 10
On the rise again

9. Evanston (25-4) 9
Handled Maine South

10. Benet (24-5) 12
At DePaul Prep Friday

11. St. Laurence (24-5) 13
Hosts Pecatonica Friday

12. Mount Carmel (25-5) 14
Beat Brother Rice

13. Brother Rice (23-6) 8
Lost last three

14. Lincoln Park (22-5) 11
At Brother Rice Friday

15. Curie (21-9) 19
Gave Kenwood a battle

16. Simeon (19-7) 15
Won soph city title

17. Kankakee (24-2) 16
At Waubonsie Valley Monday

18. Fremd (24-2) 17
MSL title game Wednesday

19. Glenbard West (22-5) 22
Finishing season strong

20. Young (16-13) 24
Antonio Munoz can fly

21. Lake Forest (19-9) 21
Lost to Benet

22. Stevenson (20-9) 20
Lost to Guilford

23. West Aurora (19-8) NR
Unbeaten with Terrence Smith

24. Warren (20-10) 23
Fell short vs. Waubonsie

25. Kaneland (26-1) 25
Beat Morris