Steve Reaven’s high school boys basketball rankings and player of the week for Lake County

Libertyville moves up as Lakes and Grayslake North enter the rankings.

TOP 10

With records through Sunday and previous rankings in parentheses.

1. Warren 14-1 (1) 

Jaxson Davis records 32 points and eight rebounds against Stevenson in one of three games in which the North Suburban Conference leader wins by at least 31.

2. Waukegan 13-5 (2) 

Ryan Brown has carved out an important niche in the Bulldogs’ lineup as a high-motor spark.

3. Deerfield 12-5 (3) 

Showing continued improvement, Charlie Yellen earns his first start in the Warriors’ Central Suburban South win over Glenbrook South.

4. Libertyville 9-5 (5) 

Ben Kristopher scores 17 points in the Wildcats’ NSC win over Zion-Benton, his first full game back after being sidelined with an injury.

5. Stevenson 11-5 (4) 

Aidan Albrecht has been productive in the lane, averaging a team-high 7.0 rebounds and dunking 13 times.

6. Wauconda 10-5 (6) 

Austin Carlsen averages 19.0 points in two wins, posting 24 points and eight rebounds in the Bulldogs’ Northern Lake County Conference win over Round Lake.

7. Grayslake Central 11-5 (7) 

Carson Woods averages 15.5 points in two wins, putting up 19 in the Rams’ NLCC win over Antioch.

8. Vernon Hills 12-6 (8)

Jeremy Zamost continues his strong season with 21 points in the Cougars’ Central Suburban North win over Maine East.

9. Lakes 8-7 (NR) 

Carter Martin averages 18.5 points in two wins, scoring 20 on 4-of-6 3-point shooting in the Eagles’ NLCC win over North Chicago.

10. Grayslake North 8-8 (NR)

Rees Jorden posts 13 points, nine rebounds, two steals, two assists and two last-minute blocks in the Knights’ NLCC win over North Chicago.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Junior forward Ben Newcomb is in the midst of a dominant stretch that includes 28 points in Lakes’ 66-51 Northern Lake County Conference win over North Chicago on Wednesday and 98 points over four games at Jacobs’ Hinkle Holiday Classic.

Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/12/lake-county-high-school-boys-basketball-rankings-player-of-the-week-2/