Lincoln-Way East and Bloom inch upward in rankings topped by Marian Catholic, while Illinois recruit Hayven Smith is the player of the week.
Top 10
With records through Tuesday and previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Marian Catholic 22-6 (1)
Spartans are 9-1 in January, including a 72-45 win Saturday over Joliet Catholic.
2. Homewood-Flossmoor 17-7 (2)
Senior guard Layla Pierce hits five 3-pointers Tuesday to put away Sandburg 67-42.
3. Lincoln-Way East 22-4 (4)
Griffins are 10-2 in last 12 games. Showdown looms with Class 4A No. 1 Bolingbrook.
4. Mother McAuley 21-6 (3)
Mighty Macs advance in GCAC tourney with 59-52 win Tuesday over Aurora Central Catholic.
5. St. Laurence 17-9 (5)
Three players in double figures in 58-41 win Tuesday over Resurrection in GCAC tourney.
6. Lincoln-Way Central 15-10 (6)
Knights slip past Stagg 32-31 Monday as senior guard Gracen Gehrke scores 13 points.
7. Bloom 18-6 (8)
Sophomore guard Kamryn Turner is averaging 21.6 points for Blazing Trojans.
8. Stagg 16-10 (7)
Loss to Lincoln-Way Central breaks four-game winning streak for Chargers.
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9. Sandburg 15-12 (9)
Juliana Paddock gets 15 points, 10 rebounds in 63-48 win over Rich Township.
10. Shepard 14-9 (NR)
Astros in South Suburban Red title conversation after beating Oak Lawn 49-40 Friday.
Player of the Week
Illinois recruit Hayven Smith had a whale of a week for Lincoln-Way East. The senior forward recorded a pair of double-doubles in points and rebounds against state-ranked foes Homewood-Flossmoor and St. Charles East. She also scored her 1,000th-career point in a 60-41 win over Lockport.
Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.