The Centralia Orphans got a big 55-28 win Friday night over Marion. That kept Centralia undefeated and at the top of the SI Basketball Poll.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats tumbled from #2 to #7 thanks to that loss.
The Benton Rangers are surging. The 9-0 Rangers are turning heads and are up to #3 this week.
Here’s a look at the Full Rankings:
| Rank | School (First Place Votes) | Points | Rank Last Week |
| 1 | Centralia (8) | 89 | 1 (-) |
| 2 | Mt. Vernon (1) | 80 | 3 (+1) |
| 3 | Benton | 53 | 6 (+3) |
| 4 | Pinckneyville | 45 | 4 (-) |
| – | Olney | 45 | 9 (+4) |
| 6 | Breese Central | 36 | 5 (-1) |
| 7 | Marion | 24 | 2 (-5) |
| 8 | Herrin | 20 | 9 (+1) |
| 9 | Teutopolis | 16 | UR |
| 10 | Murphysboro | 16 | 8(-1) |
Also receiving votes: Goreville 12, Carbondale 10, Carterville 5, Nashville 4, Carlyle 1, Chester 1