MaxPreps Midwest Top 25 high school boys basketball rankings

In one of the all-time great Chicago high school basketball games last Friday, Cliff Alexander and Curie outlasted Jahlil Okafor and Whitney Young in four overtimes.

Curie remains on top and Whitney Young holds strong at No. 12 after the epic battle.


1. (Last week, 1) Curie (Chicago), 24-1
In one of the greatest games of the year, the Condors outlasted No. 12 Whitney Young (Chicago) 69-66 in a four-overtime classic to win the Chicago Public League City Tournament before a standing-room crowd of over 7,000 at Chicago State University. Unheralded Kamar Marshall drilled a 3-pointer from the right corner with 0.9 seconds left to end the marathon. Underrated senior guard Joseph Stamps scored 24 points and Cliff Alexander powered his way to 20 points and 12 rebounds to help the defensive-minded Condors notch their first city title and 14th straight victory.
Next: March 4 vs. undetermined opponent in the Class 4A regional semifinals at Chicago King.

2. (2) Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati), 20-1
The Crusaders routed Ross (Hamilton, Ohio) 74-24 in their Division I district opener as Grant Benzinger scored 20 points.
Next: Tuesday vs. Western Hills (Cincinnati) in the sectional semifinals at Lakota West.



3. (3) Lanphier (Springfield, Ill.), 25-0
The Lions routed Jacksonville (Ill.) 89-42 behind Xavier Bishop, who scored 26 points. Larry Austin Jr. had 34 points and six steals during a 79-49 victory over Peoria Central ( Ill.).
Next: Friday at Lincoln (Ill.)

4. (4) Muskegon (Mich.), 19-0
William Roberson averaged 23 points during victories over Reeths-Puffer (Muskegon) 83-42 and Union (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 69-64.
Next: Friday vs. River Rouge (Mich.)

5. (5) Indianapolis Arsenal Technical, 19-2
The Titans defeated Zionsville (Ind.) 63-47 following a 13-day layoff. Trey Lyles did the bulk of the damage with 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Next: Friday at Ben Davis (Indianapolis)

6. (6) Apple Valley (Minn.), 25-1
The Eagles defeated Lakeville North (Lakeville, Minn.) 59-56 in overtime and Rosemount (Minn.) 82-55, extending their winning streak to 20 games. Tyus Jones scored 25 points against Lakeville North.
Next: Wednesday vs. Park (Cottage Grove, Minn.)

7. (7) La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.), 21-2
The Lakers won their own invitational by defeating 22 Feet Academy (Greenville, S.C.) 79-72, Athlete Institute (Ontario, Canada) 68-42 and St. Louis Christian (St. Louis) 75-67. Junior guard Jalen Coleman  averaged 28.6 points in the three games, while Sam Logwood twice reached an even 20 points.
Next: Friday at McNabb (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada)

8. (8) Stevenson (Lincolnshire, Ill.), 25-1
Junior guard Jalen Brunson pumped in a career-high 56 points, including the game-winning basket with 6.8 seconds left during a 95-93 double-overtime victory against Lake Forest (Ill.). He also established a new school record with 1,642 career points. The next night he scored 20 points, one less than another junior, Connor Cashaw, in a 65-56 victory over Simeon (Chicago). They combined for 15 rebounds against Simeon.
Next: Tuesday at Wauconda (Ill.)



9. (9) Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights, Ill.), 23-2
Senior point guard Tyler Ulis scored 26 points during a 66-50 victory over Carmel (Mundelein, Ill.) and 42 in a 67-63 victory against Lake Forest (Ill.).
Next: Wednesday vs. Nazareth Academy (LaGrange, Park, Ill.)

10. (10) St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio), 19-2
Tony Vuyancih celebrated his birthday with 18 points to help the Eagles defeat talented Villa-Angela St. Joseph (Cleveland) 82-76. Kipper Nichols scored a game-high 22 points. Sixteen players scored during an 83-40 rout of Firestone (Akron, Ohio).
Next: Saturday vs. undetermined opponent in the Division I district tournament.

11. (11) Brookfield Central (Wis.), 22-0
The Lancers defeated Menomonee Falls (Wis.) 67-41 and Central (West Allis, Wis.) 81-53, with Riley LaChance exploding for 44 points in the latter contest.
Next: Friday vs. Brookfield East (Brookfield) in the Division I regional opener.

12. (12) Whitney Young (Chicago), 21-6
The Dolphins battled No. 1-ranked Curie through four overtimes before falling 69-66 in the Chicago Public League Tournament championship game. Paul White was high scorer with 19 points. Jahlil Okafor was limited to 16 points due to foul trouble, and committed his fifth with 2:13 left in the fourth quarter. Unsung senior Erwin Henry saved the Dolphins with 18 points during a 55-53 semifinal win over Orr.
Next: March 4 vs. undetermined opponent in the Class 4A regional semifinals at home.

13. (13) Carmel (Ind.), 17-1
Junior guard Ryan Cline drilled 11 of his 12 shots and finished with 33 points during a 66-52 victory over Warren Central (Indianapolis).
Next: Monday vs. Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.)

14. (14) Greensburg (Ind.), 20-1
Sean Sellers averaged 27 points during victories over South Decatur (Greensburg) 102-35 and South Ripley (Versailles, Ind.) 64-47.
Next: Friday at East Central (St. Leon, Ind.)



15. (15) Zanesville (Ohio), 21-1
The Blue Devils were handed their first loss, 56-53, at Jackson (Massillon, Ohio), despite 21 points by J.T. McFarland.
Next: Wednesday vs. Tri-Valley (Dresden, Ohio) for the Division I sectional title.

16. (16) King (Milwaukee), 20-2
The Generals' 18-game winning streak was broken with a 76-72 loss to Hamilton (Milwaukee) despite 24 points by Jemell Posey. They rebounded with a 69-26 rout of Pulaski (Milwaukee).
Next: Friday vs. Pulaski (Milwaukee) in the Division I regional.

17. (17) Chaminade (St. Louis), 21-2
The Red Devils defeated East (Hazelwood, Mo.) 85-63 and Vianney (Kirkwood, Mo.) 63-56. Jayson Tatum amassed 25 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, five blocks and three steals against East.
Next: Tuesday at MICDS (St. Louis)

18. (18) Pershing (Detroit), 18-2
The Doughboys avenged an earlier loss and won the Detroit Public School League Tournament with a 57-56 overtime victory against Southeastern (Detroit). Mory Diane scored 15 points, including a short jump shot with 34 seconds left to force the overtime. Justin Tillman had 18 rebounds and six blocks.
Next: March 3 vs. Cody (Detroit) in the district opener at Detroit Western.

19. (19) Hickman (Columbia, Mo.), 20-2
Idle last week.
Next: Monday at Holt (Wentzville, Mo.)

20. (20) Dubuque (Iowa), 20-1
The Rams defeated Waterloo West (Iowa) 61-48 and Washington (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) 68-46. Kyle Haber scored 18 points against West.
Next: Friday vs. undetermined opponent in the Class 4A substate semifinals at home.



21. (21) Zion-Benton (Zion, Ill.), 22-3
Milik Yarbrough celebrated Senior Night with 27 points during a 70-64 victory over Libertyville (Ill.).
Next: Tuesday at Grant (Fox Lake, Ill.)

22. (22) Blue Valley Northwest (Overland Park, Kan.), 15-2
Clayton Custer averaged 21 points during victories over Blue Valley North (Overland Park, Kan.) 54-42 and Blue Valley West (Stillwell, Kan.) 71-36. The Huskies had lost to North earlier this year, 59-57.
Next: Tuesday vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.)

23. (23) Bowman Academy (Gary, Ind.), 15-3
Idle last week.
Next: Tuesday at Central (East Chicago, Ind.)

24. (24) Century (Bismarck, N.D.), 18-0
Tyler Rudolph averaged 24.5 points and 9.5 rebounds during victories against Jamestown (N.D.) 85-42 and Minot (N.D.) 75-49.
Next: Friday vs. Bismarck (N.D.)

25. (25) Benson (Omaha, Neb.), 21-3
The Bunnies defeated Southwest (Lincoln, Neb.) 78-40 and Papillion-LaVista South (Papillion, Neb.) 57-46 before being upset by Creighton Prep (Omaha), 59-57, despite 19 points and 12 rebounds by Khyri Thomas. 
Next: Saturday vs. undetermined opponent in the Class A district opener.

Dropped out: None.



The Midwestern region includes all teams from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.