Every season has its own flash-point that brings clarity and focus to the moment at hand. The public release, last Thursday, of the sectional seedings for each of the three classes signified one such moment.

Call it the point of no return, in underscoring the fading regular-season and the approaching state tournament. We will get more into the specifics, and attempt to measure the top sectionals in our final Top 25 of the season.

The end of April brings a certain elementary directness to the season: the jostling for conference supremacy, the beginning of the Chicago Public League Tournament bracket and some interesting end of the year out of conference showdowns.

Monday night marks the championship of the Naperville Invitational, featuring two-time tournament champion and fourth-ranked New Trier and this week’s biggest riser, No. 7 Benet.

The tournament results — especially the quarterfinal round that saw three significant upsets — have definitely shaken up the poll. Previously top-ranked Barrington suffered its first loss in a shootout against Hinsdale Central.

The tournament  has always functioned as a supreme measuring stick of quality. It also illustrates the depth of talent and the fact that anything is possible. Most things remain on the table as we move closer to the state tournament.

That does not just apply to the best in our coverage field.

The top two ranked teams in the Illinois 10 — defending Class 3A state champion O’Fallon and Notre Dame (Peoria) — both suffered their first defeats of the season.

That leaves Lockport (19-0-0) as the last team standing with a perfect record.

The race to the top continues, and it is advisable to write down everything in pencil. If this season has shown anything, nothing is guaranteed.