Here are the Belleville News-Democrat preseason boys basketball rankings:

Preseason Large-School Poll (Class 3A-4A)

Preseason rankings for metro-east teams; voting by area coaches and News-Democrat staff writers (first-place votes in parentheses; records from last season):

Rank Team W-L

1. Edwardsville (9) 24-6

2. Belleville East (2) 19-10

3. Cahokia 23-8

4. East St. Louis 24-9

5. Marquette 28-3

Also receiving votes: Belleville West (17-12); O'Fallon (17-11); Granite City (10-17); Althoff (11-17); Alton (7-21); Collinsville (23-6); Columbia (15-15); Highland (19-12)

Preseason Small-School Poll (Class 1A-2A)

Preseason rankings for metro-east teams; voting by area coaches and News-Democrat staff writers (first-place votes in parentheses; records from last season):

Rank Team W-L

1. Carlyle (4) 22-8

2. Nashville (3) 16-14

3. Okawville 26-6

4. Central 34-1

5. Gibault 19-11

Also receiving votes: Mater Dei (21-8); Wesclin (11-19); Madison (18-6)