A month’s worth of games has given enough time to separate the contenders from the pretenders. At least in the eyes of Sports Editor Matt Daniels, who unveils The News-Gazette’s first top 10 high school girls’ basketball poll of the season:

1. Salt Fork

➜ Record: 9-0

Alexa Jamison is a special talent. The gifted scorer is now in her senior season, so take time and catch the Storm in action. Like on Tuesday night at Villa Grove or Thursday night at home against Chrisman.

2. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley

➜ Record: 8-0

Lily Sizemore and Co. have picked up right where they left off from a successful 2023-24 season. The Falcons kept their unbeaten start intact on Monday night with a home win against rival Fisher.

3. Watseka

➜ Record: 10-1

Christa Holohan and the Warriors carry an eight-game win streak into Thursday night’s Vermilion Valley Conference game at Oakwood. Six of those wins are by at least 15 points. Impresive.

4. Sullivan

➜ Record: 10-1

Addison Minor and her teammates hit the double-digit win total on Monday night with a road victory against Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond. Next up: Unity Christian at home on Thursday night.

5. Cissna Park

➜ Record: 9-2

After the Timberwolves saw their five-game win streak end with a close loss to Fieldcrest on Saturday, Macy Sinn and pals got back in the win column on Monday night against Georgetown-Ridge Farm.

6. Clinton

➜ Record: 8-3

Clara Dempsey and the Maroons play an uptempo style and have some high-scoring wins. The latest happened Monday night against Meridian and the next could come Thursday at Roanoke-Benson.

7. Mahomet-Seymour

➜ Record: 7-4

Hannah Creel and the Bulldogs earned a quality nonconference home win on Monday against Unity. All the better to prep for an Apollo Conference home game this Saturday afternoon against Taylorville.

8. Tri-County

➜ Record: 8-2

Cara Phillips and the Titans are off to a solid start, but could not secure a home win against Arcola on Monday night in Lincoln Prairie Conference play. Hosting Paris on Wednesday is another challenge.

9. Unity

➜ Record: 6-5

No shame in the losses the Rockets have this season since they’re all to teams above them in these rankings. McKinley Weller and Co. get another quality test this Saturday at home against Mt. Zion.

10. LeRoy

➜ Record: 8-5

Natalie Loy and the Panthers lost a Heart of Illinois Conference game Monday night at Deer Creek-Mackinaw, but will vie for the Meridian Holiday Express title on Tuesday night against Maroa-Forsyth.