Eastland boys No. 5, Sterling girls No. 8 in AP rankings

The first Associated Press high school basketball rankings of 2025 were released Wednesday, with the 12-2 Eastland boys ranked No. 5 in Class 1A and the 14-2 Sterling girls ranked No. 8 in the Class 3A poll.

The Dixon girls fell out of the top 10 but still are receiving votes after climbing to a tie at No.1 before three straight losses, including to Sterling in the third-place game at the Dixon tournament. The Duchesses (15-3) also lost to 2A No. 8 Byron (14-1) and No. 10 Morris (15-1).

In the Class 1A boys poll, Pecatonica (11-0) is No. 1, followed by Waltonville, Effingham St. Anthony, Jacksonville Routt, Eastland, Tuscola, Hope Academy, Goreville, Casey-Westfield and Yorkville Christian.

Eastland’s only losses came to Pecatonica and El Paso-Gridley.

In the Class 3A girls poll, 20-0 Washington is No. 1, followed by Quincy Notre Dame, Mount Vernon, St. Ignaitus, Bethalto Civic Memorial, Galesburg, Chicago Heights Marian Catholic, Sterling, Morton and Morris.

Sterling’s only losses are to Galesburg and Stillman Valley, ranked No. 2 in 2A.