The Centralia Orphans retook the top spot in the John A. Logan SI Basketball Coaches Poll ahead of Week 6 of the season, despite the former #1 – the Nashville Hornets – going to the Breese Mater Dei Holiday Classic and winning over some Metro East teams.
A logjam has formed at the #3 spot with Mt. Vernon, Pinckneyville, and Murphysboro all garnering 62 points. The Panthers beat the Red Devils in the Duster Thomas Hoops Classic semifinals last Wednesday 42-39.
The Herrin Tigers time outside of the Top 10 was short-lived after winning the Eldorado Holiday Tournament they shot all the way from unranked up to #6
Here’s a look at the Full Rankings:
| Rank | School (First Place Votes) | Points | Rank Last Week |
| 1 | Centralia (5) | 94 | 2 (+1) |
| 2 | Nashville (4) | 84 | 1 (-1) |
| 3 | Mt. Vernon (1) | 62 | 5 (+2) |
| – | Pinckneyville | 62 | 4 (+1) |
| – | Murphysboro | 62 | 3 (-) |
| 6 | Herrin | 50 | NR |
| 7 | Massac County | 31 | 7 (-) |
| 8 | Marion | 22 | 8 (-) |
| 9 | Hamilton County | 18 | 10 (+1) |
| 10 | Carterville | 13 | 6 (-4) |
Also receiving votes: Breese Central 12, Steeleville 12, Teutopolis 10, Mt. Carmel 6, Carbondale 4, Benton 3, Sesser-Valier 3, Columbia 2, Hardin County 1
Southern Illinois Coaches interested in participating in the Coaches Poll can email mattv@riverradio.net to be included in the weekly poll.
