Sports Editor Matt Daniels unveils The News-Gazette’s latest area Top 10 poll, with two new teams — Unity and Monticello — entering the rankings:

1. Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin

➜ Record: 18-0

➜ Previous ranking: No. 1

Chaz Dubois and the Blue Devils defeated Normal U-High last Saturday at the Christie Clinic Shootout in St. Joseph and then won at Armstrong-Potomac on Tuesday night to keep their undefeated record intact. A Friday night home game against Iroquois West awaits before BHRA tips off the Vermilion County Tournament next Tuesday.

2. Tuscola

➜ Record: 15-2

➜ Previous ranking: No. 2

Kam Sweetnam and the Warriors have yet to endure a losing streak this season. After a last-second home loss to Unity on Tuesday night, Tuscola welcomes Teutopolis to its gym on Friday night for another marquee nonconference game. Central Illinois Conference play starts for the Warriors next Tuesday at home against Warrensburg-Latham.

3. St. Joseph-Ogden

➜ Record: 10-5

➜ Previous ranking: No. 5

Will Haley and the Spartans earned back-to-back home wins against Warrensburg-Latham and Teutopolis, topping the Cardinals last Saturday night at SJ-O’s own Christie Clinic Shootout and then beating the Wooden Shoes on Tuesday night. The Spartans hit the road to begin Illini Prairie Conference play on Friday night at Pontiac.

4. Westville

➜ Record: 16-3

➜ Previous ranking: No. 4

Matt Darling and the Tigers upped their win streak to three games following Tuesday night’s convincing home victory against Iroquois West in Vermilion Valley Conference play. They’ll look to carry that mojo into the Vermilion County Tournament when Westville tips off against Georgetown-Ridge Farm on Saturday night.

5. Champaign Central

➜ Record: 10-6

➜ Previous ranking: No. 6

David Hasenstab and the Maroons won’t need any motivation to get amped up for Friday night’s road rivalry game against Centennial at the Chargers’ own Coleman Carrodine Gym in Champaign. Beating Big 12 foes Peoria Notre Dame and Normal West by a combined 45 points in the last week certainly bolsters Central’s confidence.

6. Arcola

➜ Record: 12-4

➜ Previous ranking: No. 3

Canton Wesch and the Purple Riders bring a two-game losing streak into Friday night’s nearby Lincoln Prairie Conference game at Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond. Arcola did not fare well in a 41-23 home loss against Cumberland on Tuesday night. A Saturday game at Central A&M is on tap after Friday night’s game against ALAH.

7. Armstrong-Potomac

➜ Record: 14-5

➜ Previous ranking: No. 7

Cole Bailey and the Trojans hung with Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin for the first half on Tuesday night before coming up short. A-P didn’t let Tuesday night’s loss linger, though, and responded with a home win on Thursday night against Cissna Park. Salt Fork awaits at 5:15 p.m. Saturday in the Vermilion County Tournament at DACC.

8. Centennial

➜ Record: 8-8

➜ Previous ranking: No. 10

Voldy Makabu and the Chargers had their four-game win streak snapped on Tuesday night during a 41-30 road loss against Normal Community in Big 12 play. A competitive weekend should be in store for Centennial, with Champaign Central visiting on Friday night and then Mahomet-Seymour on Saturday evening.

9. Unity

➜ Record: 11-6

➜ Previous ranking: Not ranked

Coleton Langendorf filled the role of hero for the Rockets in Tuesday night’s 56-55 win at Tuscola with his game-winning bucket. Unity hosts Paxton-Buckley-Loda on Friday night in its Illini Prairie Conference opener before playing Quincy Notre Dame on Saturday in Bloomington Central Catholic’s MLK Showcase.

10. Monticello

➜ Record: 9-7

➜ Previous ranking: Not ranked

Gatsby Grant and the Sages have won five of their last six to make up for a slow start. A slow start because three of Monticello’s starters also played football until late November with the Sages in the Class 3A state title game. Monticello hosts Bloomington Central Catholic on Friday night before playing at Maroa-Forsyth on Saturday.