Michael O’Brien’s Super 25 high school basketball rankings for Feb. 14, 2021Michael O’Brienon February 15, 2021 at 1:45 am

There’s a new team at the top after Notre Dame’s loss to Mundelein.

The season is off to an interesting start. The atmosphere at some games is dismal. It isn’t anyone’s fault, it is just the way things are right now.

It makes it hard for the players to get going and is a rough, lonely watch. I’m lucky to get to see high school basketball in person right now, so I won’t be complaining.

But the last two games I covered, St. Rita at Rolling Meadows and Mundelein at Notre Dame, were fantastic. Two non-traditional powerhouses began living up to the hype they’ve received. It was a ton of fun to be at both games and gives me some hope for the season.

Although I have to admit that on the drive home last night I started to feel a little cheated that we won’t get a chance to see Max Christie end his career in Champaign. Same for Mundelein, a team and community that would relish a trip to state. There are so many mixed feelings this season.

New additions:

Lyons (3-0): Everyone is raving about junior Tavari Johnson. The guard helped the Lions open the season with wins against Morton, York and Downers Grove South.

Fremd (3-0): The Vikings are off to a nice start with wins against Hoffman Estates, Palatine and Conant.

Dropping out:

Waubonsie Valley (3-1):: Overall a successful start to the season, but the loss to Wheaton-Warrenville South knocks out the Warriors for now.

St. Ignatius (2-1): Losing to Loyola on the road is clearly not an indication that the Wolfpack is overrated. Expect them to make it back in soon. They have a great chance to get a resume-building win on Monday at St. Rita.

With record and last week’s ranking

1. Simeon (0-0) 2

Very high expectations

2. Young (0-0) 3

Preparations are underway

3. Evanston (3-0) 4

At Loyola on Monday

4. Mundelein (4-1) 5

Scottie Ebube is a load

5. Notre Dame (5-1) 1

Lost without Anthony Sayles

6. DePaul Prep (1-0) 6

Hosts St. Ignatius Saturday

7. Hillcrest (2-0) 7

Hosts Oak Lawn Monday

8. Curie (0-0) 8

Nick Owens will lead

9. Fenwick (3-0) 9

Hosts Montini Tuesday

10. St. Patrick (2-0) 10

Faces Notre Dame Tuesday

11. Glenbard West (3-0) 11

Dominating teams

12. Glenbrook South (6-0) 15

Nick Martinelli opening eyes

13. North Lawndale (0-0) 12

Exciting young backcourt

14. Rolling Meadows (4-0) 14

More than the Christie brothers

15. Bolingbrook (3-0) 16

Kyonte Thomas is a show

16. Homewood-Flossmoor (2-0) 17

Earning rave reviews

17. Thornton (0-0) 18

Opens Tuesday at Bloom

18. Clark (0-0) 20

Earned respect last season

19. Lake Forest (3-1) 21

Beat Mundelein

20. Kenwood (0-0) 22

Fans want to see JJ Taylor

21. Kankakee (1-0) 24

Beat Rich

22. St. Rita (1-1) 23

A future power

23. Lyons (3-0) NR

Tavari Johnson blowing up

24. Fremd (3-0) NR

Vikings always get it done

25. Neuqua Valley (3-1) 19

Lost without Poulakidas

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