The Northwest Herald boys basketball preview will appear in print next week, with info on every local team. Until then, here are five storylines to look out for in the 2025-26 season.

Can Crystal Lake South three-peat in FVC?

McHenry appeared in good position to win the Fox Valley Conference championship outright last season after it edged two-time defending champ Crystal Lake South 55-52 on Jan. 31 to improve to 13-0 in the conference. But the Warriors then suffered upset losses to Prairie Ridge and Dundee-Crown, allowing South to get back in the race. McHenry bounced back to win its last two FVC games, including a 47-44 win at Huntley, which led in the fourth quarter.

McHenry and South ended up tying for first place with 16-2 records, despite the Warriors’ sweep of the season serie

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