Sun-Times ranks all 802 Illinois high schools

The Sun-Times will now include all 802 high schools in Illinois in its Super 25 rankings. This new statewide scope is set to begin with the upcoming basketball season. The change doubles the number of eligible schools compared to the paper's previous print coverage area.

For nearly 80 years, the Sun-Times limited its rankings to teams within its physical delivery zone. That area typically stretched west to Plano, south to Kankakee, and north to the state line. Readers in cities like East St. Louis and Peoria have frequently asked why their local teams were excluded from the lists. The newspaper's digital reach now extends across the entire state, prompting the expansion.

Sports Editor Chris De Luca and the ranking reporter discussed the feedback for several years before making the decision. The reporter noted that high school sports fans are quick to identify errors in the rankings. To maintain accuracy, the reporter has spent the last 25 years driving throughout the region to watch as many games as possible. This process ensures the selections are based on direct observation rather than guesswork.

Mike Clark, an industry veteran, will handle the girls' basketball rankings for the new statewide list. The reporter will continue to select the boys' rankings. Both expect to see teams from outside the Chicago area in the preseason lists. The reporter plans to travel to cover games in new regions but notes that many top state teams already play in the Chicago area regularly.

The reporter has watched high school basketball in Chicago since age 13 and has covered state finals and the Pontiac Holiday Tournament for decades. Familiarity with local rivalries and traditions remains a strong foundation for the work. However, the reporter admits to having less knowledge of conferences like the Big Twelve or the Southwestern Conference. The expansion requires learning new gyms and meeting new coaches and players across the state.

Coaches are asked to email their team information to the reporter. Fans are encouraged to suggest which games to cover and to provide feedback on the rankings. The reporter specifically requests that readers reach out when a ranking appears incorrect. The process of adjusting to the statewide scope will be a learning experience for the staff.

The Super 25 rankings have been a staple of the Sun-Times for almost eight decades. The shift to a statewide model reflects the changing way readers access sports content. The physical newspaper's delivery limits no longer dictate the scope of the rankings. The website serves a much wider audience than the print edition did.

The first statewide basketball rankings will appear with the start of the season. The football rankings will also expand to include all eligible schools. Readers can expect to see teams from East St. Louis and other parts of the state in the lists. The reporter is preparing to travel to new areas to gather the information needed for the selections.