Video: Preseason Top 25 Basketball Rankings
Breaking down the national contenders heading into the 2018-19 season.
Head Coach: Joe Muniz
Last Season: 32-2 (IHSA Class 4A state champions)
Players to Watch:EJ Liddell (6-7, Sr., F) — Committed to Ohio State
Marcellus Romious (6-5, Sr., F)
William Shumpert (6-5, Sr., F)

Forward EJ Liddell
File photo by Jimmy Simmons
Key Games/Events:Nov. 20-24 - Washington Tournament of Champions (Washington, Ill.)
Dec. 1 - vs.
Callaway (Jackson, Miss.) — Marshall County Hoopfest (Benton, Ky.)
Jan. 17-19 - Bass Pro Tournament of Champions (Springfield, Mo.)
Season Preview:
Coming off its first state title in program history, Belleville West enters 2018-19 confident of repeating as IHSA Class 4A state champions.
The Maroons return three starters from last season's title team, including Liddell, the Illinois 2017-18 Gatorade Player of the Year, who is set for another monster year on both sides of the ball.
Alongside Liddell, seniors Mosby, Randolph, Romious, Brazil and transfer Shumpert round out the experienced rotation.
That experience will be put to the test throughout 2018-19 with trips to the Washington Tournament of Champions, Bass Pro Tournament of Champions and Marshall County Hoopfest scheduled.
Belleville West will be heavy favorites to defend its Illinois state championship with a strong group of seniors ready to make an impact in their final season.