Rankings are definitely more art than science. In the nature of this ranking, it is definitely not a machine or an algorithm making the judgments.

Almost inevitably there are philosophical difficulties, or conundrums, that provide no easy answer. 

That point comes home with a vengeance right at the heart of the new poll, the problem of adjudicating the results and numbers of three elite teams.

For instance, Naperville North beat New Trier, who beat Evanston, who beat and tied Naperville North. All of that played out in the last 10 days. Not sure Houdini could make a smooth escape from this scenario.

Further down the poll, Wheaton Warrenville South lost three-straight games, two nonconference matches in Iowa and against ranked conference foe Wheaton North. The Tigers also had a great win against previously unbeaten St. Charles North and have a dominant early-season victory over Waubonsie Valley.

Is it right to put Waubonsie Valley and St. Charles North over the Tigers?

Polls and rankings are almost never a 1-1 comparison, or proof of concept. Here’s the cool thing. 

We are in the sweet spot of the season. The near overlap of the two best in-season tournaments—the Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic and the Naperville Invitational—mean that the strongest programs have a chance to see each other multiple times in a highly competitive and compressed time frame.

The Naperville Invitational moves to its championship bracket Thursday.

Here is the bracketed order, accompanied by the rankings:

No. 14 Hinsdale at no. 1 Barrington

No. 4 New Trier vs. no. 20 Waubonsie Valley

No. 15 St. Charles East at no. 6 Naperville North

No. 23 Benet vs. no. 8 Lyons

The tournament has also adjusted the schedule so the teams are not playing three games in two and a half days, with the semifinals now set for Saturday morning and the championship game on April 29 (Monday). The championship and consolation results are certain to provide some clarity throughout the next poll.

New Trier earns the unofficial designation of the team of the week, going 3-0-1 (the tie was the result of a game with Glenbrook North that was shortened due to weather and IHSA rules).

The Trevians won three games in three days, punctuated by two shutout victories over previously perfect York in group play of the Naperville Invitational and unbeaten rival Evanston on Saturday.

The championship game of the Naperville Invitational on April 29 also signifies the start of the closing of the door on the regular-season. It will mark the start of the final stretch of the regular season with just two weeks remaining.

But we've got a busy week to watch before then.