Basketball

For the second time, a Waltonville Spartan has won player of the week. This time, it is senior Gage Peterson winning our Joe’s Pizza & Pasta Player of the Week for January 19-24.

The Pinckneyville Shootout has some really intriguing matchups coming up this Saturday, January 31st, but in my opinion, the most must see game on the schedule is Centralia vs Waltonville.

Some championships were finished this week, while others were postponed after a winter storm rolled through the area. Heavy snow and some ice caused several start times and schedules to get moved around as well. We’ll break down the new rankings, the tournament champions, and the tournaments that were pushed back.

Zach Snow wins Joe's Pizza and Pasta Player of the Week after helping lead the Carterville Lions to two road wins.

The top three stay the same for the second straight week with Centralia, Mt. Vernon, and Waltonville all holding their spots. All three will be playing in midwinter tournaments this week, which could definitely lead to some shakeups.

MURPHYSBORO — Carterville stormed back from a 14-point hole to stun Murphysboro 60–56 in a battle for the top spot in the SIRR Ohio.

Waltonville Spartans junior Witten Devor wins our Joe’s Pizza & Pasta Player of the Week.

Woodlawn took the biggest hit, falling three spots to #5 after dropping back-to-back road games at Webber (62–54) and Altamont (53–42). The Cardinals had been steady near the top, but that road stretch caught up with them.

Nashville Hornets senior Maddox Ritzel wins our Joe’s Pizza & Pasta Player of the Week.

Basketball Teams I’ve Seen During the 2025-26 Season

Pinckneyville — The Duster Thomas Hoops Classic Championship delivered the drama.

For the third straight season, it’s Goreville and Waltonville playing for the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament championship.

ELDORADO — Day one at the Eldorado Holiday Tournament did not disappoint.

MARION — The Marion Wildcats and Centralia Orphans meet tonight in Marion for a South Seven Conference showdown with both teams undefeated in conference play and overall on the season.

CHRISTOPHER — The Christopher Bearcats improved to 5-3 on the season with a 59-49 win over Sesser-Valier in a Black Diamond Conference rivalry matchup Friday night at home.

GALATIA — NCOE rolled to a 69-47 road win over Galatia in a Greater Egyptian Conference matchup Tuesday night.

The Centralia Orphans remain atop the rankings once again, this time unanimously, after beating previously ranked #2 Mt. Vernon 57–39.

MARION — The Marion Wildcats improved to 4-0 on the season with a 72-47 win over Massac County Saturday night at home.

The Centralia Orphans wins their eighth straight after beating Mt. Vernon 57-39 in South Seven Opener.

With Week One of high school boys basketball being wrapped up, we will release our second poll of the season. The top three teams remain the same, but many teams still haven't played their first game yet so expect to see some big changes still to come.