Benet just missed out on the preseason No. 1 ranking and then tumbled a bit in the Super 25 after picking up a loss at St. Ignatius. But the Redwings have always had the highest ceiling in the area, it was just a matter of when the new pieces would start to fit together.
That happened this week at the 94th Pontiac Holiday Tournament. Benet knocked off Curie in the semifinals and DePaul Prep in the championship game. Those two games are played on the same day at Pontiac and the Redwings demonstrated their talent and depth while beating two of the top teams in the state.
Benet senior guard Jayden Wright has matured into one of the best players in the area and was clearly underrated in the preseason. He won the prestigious AC Williamson at Pontiac a combination MVP/sportsmanship award.
Wright had 11 points and five assists and just two turnovers against the Rams in the championship and 23 points, six assists, two steals and one turnover against Curie in the semifinals.
Wright, a 5-11 EIU recruit, was one of the most impactful players in Benet’s Class 4A state title-game win last season. He’s played in the last three Pontiac title games.
Edvardas Stasys, a 6-8 junior, continues to emerge for Benet as well. He came off the bench last season and is now one of the better rebounders and shot blockers in the area. He also has a tricky, effective post game.
Stasys had 14 points and 10 rebounds in the title game against DePaul Prep.
Super 25 updates
Benet takes over the top spot in the Super 25 after beating the Rams, who slide down to No. 2
The entire top 10 remains the same this week with a little shuffling. Benet’s rise up from No. 7 means that Kankakee, Warren and Marist drop a few spots despite winning holiday tournaments.
The RedHawks won the Centralia tournament after beating the hosts in the title game. Stephen Brown is back playing for Marist and Charles Barnes has heated up and looks like one of the best shooters in the area. But the Redhawks are in desperate need of some major local wins. They’ve only played one Super 25 team all season, Evanston.
Marist will take on Waukegan on Saturday at DePaul Prep’s Steve Pappas Shootout. The Bulldogs are talented, but inconsistent.
Simeon and Morgan Park drop out of the rankings this week. Glenbard East and Mount Carmel join. The Caravan has been steadily improving since Marshaun Thornton returned from football. They lost to the Pekin Holiday Tournament championship game to Peoria Richwoods.
Super 25 high school basketball rankings for Jan. 4, 2026
With record and last week’s ranking
1. Benet (17-1) 7
Pontiac champs
2. DePaul Prep (14-2) 1
Lost to Benet
3. Curie (12-1) 2
Saquan Commings is a factor
4. Kankakee (11-1) 3
Dominated Waukegan
5. St. Ignatius (15-2) 6
Jack Tosh champs
6. Warren (11-1) 5
Won the Big Dipper
7. Marist (14-1) 4
Centralia champs
8. Loyola (15-2) 9
Takes on Benet Saturday
9. New Trier (12-3) 10
Denym Wallace stepping up
10. Homewood-Flossmoor (13-1) 8
Lost to New Trier
11. Bolingbrook (8-4) 11
Play Curie on Saturday
12. Neuqua Valley (14-1) 12
Won DeKalb title
13. Waukegan (11-4) 13
Elgin champs
14. Hersey (13-1) 14
Lost to Waukegan
15. Fremd (11-3) 16
Won Wheeling tournament
16. Evanston (11-3) 17
Solid run at Centralia
17. Mount Carmel (11-5) NR
The freshmen are growing up
18. Glenbard East (14-2) NR
Hosts L-W Central Saturday
19. St. Laurence (14-2) 19
Smashed by Richwoods
20. Kenwood (10-2) 18
Still improving
21. St. Patrick (13-2) 24
Lost to Curie
22. Palatine (12-3) 15
Lost to Glenbard East
23. Kaneland (13-0) 25
Talented but untested
24. Oswego East (11-3) 23
Ceiling is high
25. Young (12-6) 20
Beat Yorkville Christian