Carmel climbs to No. 1, unbeaten Wauconda leaps five spots, and Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Waukegan and Lake Forest all move up.
TOP 10
With records through Monday and previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Carmel 12-4 (3)
Freshman Liv Johnson is averaging 16.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals over the East Suburban Catholic Conference leader’s past five games.
2. Libertyville 12-3 (2)
Lily Fisher is averaging 18.9 points and 5.3 rebounds for the North Suburban Conference leader.
3. Lake Zurich 9-7 (1)
Alex Nowak-Tice is averaging 10.5 points and 10.1 rebounds for the Bears, who have had all of their starters for just two games.
4. Wauconda 13-0 (9)
Alessandra Rodriguez is averaging 7.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals for the Northern Lake County Conference co-leader.
5. Mundelein 12-6 (6)
A standout defender, Anahya Castro is averaging 9.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.2 steals, 2.0 bocks and 3.4 deflections for the Mustangs.
6. Vernon Hills 12-4 (7)
Madison Mays is averaging 6.5 points and 7.5 rebounds for the Central Suburban North leader.
7. Grayslake Central 7-7 (5)
Peyton Hoffmann is averaging 16.5 points and 6.2 rebounds over the Rams’ past five games.
8. Waukegan 10-6 (NR)
Freshman Mireya Rodriguez has been a spark off the bench for the Bulldogs with timely baskets and ball handling.
9. Lake Forest 8-7 (NR)
Charlie Axus is leading the Scouts in several statistical categories, including points, assists and steals.
10. Highland Park 6-5 (8)
Emily Calub has been a force on defense, particularly in recent losses to Warren and Stevenson.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Mundelein senior guard Casey Vyverman, who is averaging 18.0 points. 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals, broke the program record for career points on Dec. 30.
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.