Illinois High School Boys Basketball AP State Polls Released

Staunton stays at No. 8 in Class 2A, East St. Louis drops from No. 1 to No. 2 in Class 4A

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The latest Illinois high school boys basketball state polls from The Associated Press were released on Wednesday, with Staunton remaining at No. 8 in Class 2A and East St. Louis dropping from the top spot to No. 2 in Class 4A.

Why it matters

The AP state polls are a closely watched indicator of the top high school basketball teams in Illinois, providing recognition for standout programs and players across the state.

The details

In the Class 2A rankings, Staunton held steady at No. 8 after another strong week. In Class 4A, East St. Louis fell from the No. 1 position to No. 2 in the latest poll.

  • The AP state polls were released on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Greg Shashack

A graduate of the University of Missouri's School of Journalism who has been covering sports for The Telegraph in Alton since March 1988.

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The takeaway

The AP state polls provide an authoritative snapshot of the top high school basketball teams in Illinois, offering recognition for programs that have demonstrated excellence on the court.