A sizzling start for Tri-Cities boys basketball teams has swiftly raised expectations around the area, putting the onus on coaches to keep their players hungry after cleaning up on Thanksgiving tournament competition.

That holds especially true at Geneva and St. Charles East, which both won tournament titles last week as part of a slick, 14-2 opening week for Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles East and St. Charles North.

East won its own Thanksgiving tournament for the first time in more than 30 years, taking down East Aurora, Schaumburg and St. Joe in pool play before ripping the rival North Stars, 61-42, for the championship Saturday night. The Saints rocketed up to No. 5 in the Chicago Sun-Times basketball rankings, rarefied air for a team from the Tri-Cities area.