Centralia Remains Unanimous #1 in Southern Illinois Basketball Poll

Carterville and Waltonville swap spots in the Top 5 as Marion Wildcats return to the Top 10

Feb. 26, 2026 at 4:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The top three teams in the John A. Logan College SI Basketball Poll remained unchanged this week, with Centralia continuing its reign as the unanimous #1 team in Southern Illinois. Carterville and Waltonville swapped the #4 and #5 spots, while the Marion Wildcats returned to the Top 10 after a win over Herrin.

Why it matters

The John A. Logan College SI Basketball Poll is a closely watched ranking of the top high school basketball teams in the Southern Illinois region, providing an important indicator of the top contenders for postseason success.

The details

Centralia (28-1) maintained its hold on the #1 spot, receiving all 10 first-place votes. Nashville (28-2) and Mt. Vernon (21-7) held steady at #2 and #3 respectively. Carterville (26-3) moved up one spot to #4, while Waltonville (27-4) slid down to #5. Goreville (25-4), Woodlawn (26-3), Sparta (26-4), Benton (23-6), and Marion (15-11) rounded out the Top 10.

  • The poll was released on February 19, 2026.

The players

Centralia

The unanimous #1 team in Southern Illinois with a 28-1 record.

Carterville

Moved up one spot to #4 in the rankings with a 26-3 record.

Waltonville

Fell one spot to #5 in the rankings with a 27-4 record.

Marion Wildcats

Returned to the Top 10 at #10 after a win over Herrin, with a 15-11 record.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The John A. Logan College SI Basketball Poll continues to provide a reliable barometer of the top high school basketball teams in Southern Illinois, with Centralia firmly entrenched at #1 and the rest of the Top 10 jockeying for position as the postseason approaches.