One area boys’ basketball program stands above the rest. And that’s Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin. At least so far. Plenty more basketball is on tap the next two months, but Sports Editor Matt Daniels reveals The News-Gazette’s first Top 10 area high school boys’ basketball poll of the season:

1. Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin

➜ Record: 10-0

The first area team to hit double-digits in the win column did so with a hard-fought, 45-44 home victory against St. Joseph-Ogden on Tuesday night. The other nine wins by the Blue Devils are by an average of 25 points. Micah Stanford and Co. return to the court on Friday night at Schlarman.

2. Tuscola

➜ Record: 8-0

The schedule is about to get much more challenging for the Warriors, starting Friday night with a home game against Altamont. But so far, Kam Sweetnam and his teammates have met little resistance en route to another superb start. All eight of Tuscola’s wins are by double digits, including five by at least 30 points.

3. Arcola

➜ Record: 7-0

Circle Jan. 7 on your calendar. That’s when the Purple Riders make the short trip north to play at rival Tuscola. Braden Phillips and pals have made sure they’re feeling confident heading into Friday night’s home game against Neoga. Mainly because of superb defense that has held six of their seven foes under 40 points.

4. St. Joseph-Ogden

➜ Record: 4-2

No shame in the Spartans’ two losses. Especially since Bishop McNamara and Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin are a combined 21-0. Add in the fact Ryker Lockhart and the rest of the Spartans could have earned wins in both those games. Another tough test awaits, though, on Friday night at Normal U-High.

5. Champaign Central

➜ Record: 6-3

A xx-xx win at Decatur Eisenhower on Thursday night gives the Maroons a mini two-game win streak going into Friday night’s Big 12 game at Bloomington. Chris Bush stuffs the stat sheets essentially every game, and Central will need that in full effect next week at the Centralia Holiday Tournament.

6. LeRoy

➜ Record: 8-2

The progression of Sam Edmundson is clear to see every time he takes the floor. And, despite a close loss at Deer Creek-Mackinaw on Tuesday night that snapped a seven-game win streak, the Panthers are making it clear they’ll keep it competitive in the Heart of Illinois Conference this winter.

7. Mahomet-Seymour

➜ Record: 4-3

The run of Apollo Conference games continues for Miles Woolsey and the Bulldogs when they host perennial power Lincoln on Friday night. M-S has shown it can win high-scoring road games (i.e. an 82-74 victory at Mattoon) and slug it out in low-scoring road games (i.e. a 41-37 win at Effingham) this season.

8. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley

➜ Record: 5-2

The Falcons earned a 58-44 home win against Ford County rival Paxton-Buckley-Loda on Tuesday night, keeping their good vibes rolling. Brayden Elliott and Co. will get another shot at PBL on Dec. 26 at the Monticello Holiday Hoopla, but first is a Friday night home game against El Paso-Gridley.

9. Westville

➜ Record: 6-2

A slew of holiday tournaments is on tap the rest of the month for Easton Barney and the Tigers, with Westville hosting its own Winter Wonderland Shootout through Saturday before taking part in the Tri-County Holiday Tournament from Dec. 27-30. Expect the Tigers to stack even more wins before 2025.

10. Unity

➜ Record: 3-3

A strong nonconference schedule for the Rockets includes their first trip to the Effingham-Teutopolis Christmas Classic next week, where they’ll open up against Lutheran North out of St. Louis on Dec. 26. Mason O’Neill and his teammates will be well-tested by the time Illini Prairie Conference play arrives in mid-January.