Here are the power rankings for the 2023-24 boys basketball season separated by large and small schools. Last season's records are in parentheses.

Peoria basketball previews: Here are the top 15 high school players for 2023-24

LARGE SCHOOLS

1. Metamora (34-2)

The reigning Class 3A state champions are back with two returning starters — the 2023 JS player of the year Tyler Mason and Luke Hopp. Sixth-man Matthew Zobrist and reserves Nick Walker along with Ashton Grieves are all in the mix. Metamora, which comes into the season ranked No. 16 nationally by MaxPreps.com, also has the benefit of Iowa recruit and all-stater Cooper Koch transferring in from Peoria Notre Dame. Coach Danny Grieves and the Redbirds open the season against PND at the Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions in Washington. Normal Community and Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin are also on the schedule.

Metamora basketball: Every story from Redbirds' run to the Class 3A basketball championship

2. Richwoods (25-6)

The Knights made a run to the 3A Sweet 16 last season, losing to eventual state champion Metamora. That was the first time Richwoods made it to the sectional in 13 years. Richwoods will look to repeat that success with the addition of Rutgers signee Lathan Sommerville. The 6-foot-10 forward/center comes back to Peoria following two seasons at a Georgia prep school. He'll help out returning leading scorer Tavi Smith as well as starter Jared Jackson, who is back in the mix. Peoria High transfer DaQuan Little will likely be in the lineup for coach Will Smith. Richwoods opens its season on Nov. 21 at the Rockford Boylan Tournament.

3. Peoria High (15-13)

Peoria High has a lot of question marks coming into this season. Three starters have left with all-Big 12 Conference first-teamer Mikequese Taylor having graduated, while Dekwon Brown (Chicago Simeon) and DaQuan Little (Richwoods) both transferred. However, coach Daniel Ruffin welcomes back one of the area's most talented juniors in Leshawn Stowers, who has a trio of mid-major scholarship offers. Look for Peoria Quest transfer and 6-foot-5 sophomore Davion McClendon to be a contributor for the Lions. Peoria High starts its campaign at the Decatur Tournament on Nov. 21 against Bolingbrook.

SMALL SCHOOLS

1. Manual (21-10)

Manual heads back to Class 2A following 13 years. The Rams had petitioned to play up a class for at least the last four years. Now, Manual looks to get back to the 2A title game, finishing as the 2008 and 2010 state runner-up. Fully expect 6-foot-5 junior and high-major recruit Dietrich Richardson to lead the Rams for coach Marvin Jordan. London Tolliver will also be a factor. Several transfers will look to crack the starting lineup for the Rams including Gerrell Trapps (Ariz. Compass Prep), Nas Jackson (East Peoria), Amare Breedlove (PND) and Darren McClendon (Richwoods). Manual heads to the Decatur Tournament, opening play on Nov. 21.

Peoria schools in 2A? Why Manual and Notre Dame basketball will be playing in a different class this season

2. Peoria Notre Dame (17-14)

PND is also in 2A for the first time in program history. The Irish have a great core of seniors led by Belmont signee Eoin Dillon. Three other seniors — 6-foot-2 Teddy Dimler, 6-foot-9 Eliot Lynch and 6-foot-6 Thomas Graham — are going to play big roles in helping the Irish contend for a deep postseason run. Junior Kayden Hudson, a standout soccer player, will also be relied upon to help out PND. Coach Tom Lacher has revamped his schedule, joining the Pekin Tournament as well as playing Rock Island, Yorkville Christian and SHG. The Irish are back at the Washington TOC for a seventh time, opening its season against Metamora on Nov. 21.

3. Illini Bluffs (32-5)

IB has hopefully put behind it the heartbreaking Elite Eight last-second, buzzer-beating loss to eventual Class 1A state champion Waterloo Gibault. The Tigers, who were on a 15-game win streak before the season-ending loss, are ready to make a run to the state title behind Lehigh commit Hank Alvey. Three other starters are back for IB led by senior Wyatt Hendel along with juniors Devon White and Toby Cooper. Coach Clay Vass has the Tigers heading to the Great Western Shootout in Abingdon to face one of the top 2A teams in Taylor Ridge Rockridge. IB starts its season on Monday against Illini West at the Spartan Tip-Off Classic in Bushnell.

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria-area boys basketball power rankings: Metamora, Richwoods, Manual