CPS Championship Game: Kenwood vs Curie

PHI was in attendance for the CPS boys varsity championship game on the campus at UIC. We were privileged to watch an exciting contest of two city powers who have a history of high-level competitive games in Curie and Kenwood. It was a back-and-forth game of runs and high emotions. In the end Kenwood edged out the victory 67-65 and claimed it's first ever CPS City Championship. In this article we cover the top players from both sides.    Seals was the leading scorer for Kenwood playing very well against Curie's zone defense. He flashed to open areas of the zone and hit big jump shots whether it was from the elbow or on the baseline. TJ also was terrific as a passer when he received the attention of the defense hitting guys in the corner and slashing to the basket. He did have to leak out dunks early in the game as well. Seals final stat line was impressive with 22 points and 8 rebounds with 6 assists. TJ has been everything Kenwood needed him to be this season and he led them to the first city championship.     Aleks followed up his final-four performance with another solid outing against Curie. He managed to hit two threes and connect on two momentum-changing alley oops to give Kenwood the right momentum in the fourth quarter. Alston was a guy Curie had to watch for in the zone. He provided big shots and showed the ability to create for others while drawing attention. Aleks has also been key on the glass as he's been close to double-digit rebound numbers in the last couple of games. Nobody could've been more happy than Alston who became the first Kenwood player to win a City JV Championship and City Varsity Championship. With a long list of players to come through Aleks has created a new feat for future Broncos to achieve.     Cleveland didn't play his best game I've seen but he sure did step up in big moments when the Broncos needed him. Devin hit some big shots down the stretch as Kenwood was holding on to a very small lead. Making lefty finishes rushing to score before the Condors were able to set their defense up. Cleveland did connect on an oop to Alston and hit a three from the wing against the zone. What he did do was assert himself as a primary ball handler when the Broncos needed someone to make free throws. He made 6 of them which helped ice the game for the Broncos. Devin had 16 points with 3 assists.     Oliver has very rapidly become one of the players I look forward to covering over the summer and next season. He's so court-savvy and poised to make plays in big games. Justin had a slow build to his night but he did it the right way. For the first few quarters, he played the setup guy getting in the paint and dishing out to players in the corners and on the wing. As Curie's role players made shots it was Justin's turn to score in the fourth. He made some spectacular plays often getting fouled when attacking the rim. He made some big shots when his team was down six points twice. One of those moments he came with a top-of-the-key bomb when most of the people in the stands thought the game was over. Oliver didn't show any quit as he ran off 12 points in the 4th quarter. These are the type of efforts that left me ready to see what his next act will be going into the summer and next season. Oliver led Curie with 22 points and 8 assists.     As the senior of this team and one of the contributors to last season's city title. Johnson was ready to strap his team on his back early. He came out guns blazing with quick buckets. Strong attacks to the basket where he was fouled in the lane. Brad played at a quick pace that helped Curie jump out early over Kenwood. But some foul trouble sidelined him for most of the second quarter. Johnson didn't see many shots until the fourth where he hit two three-pointers while Curie was down eight. The game outcome could have been different if he didn't have to sit with those fouls. He ended with 14 points and 4 rebounds     Jackson provided a spark off the bench for Curie with his shooting against the Kenwood Zone. Jahkil was 3 for 4 from behind the arc because of his constant movement and Kenwood's attention was mostly geared towards Mike Oliver Jr. and Johnson. Outside of those open shots he was able to touch the paint and score off a drive to the basket. The senior scored 13 points and pulled in 4 boards in the loss.

PHI was in attendance for the CPS boys varsity championship game on the campus at UIC. We were privileged to watch an exciting contest of two city powers who have a history of high-level competitive games in Curie and Kenwood. It was a back-and-forth game of runs and high emotions. In the end Kenwood edged out the victory 67-65 and claimed it's first ever CPS City Championship. In this article we cover the top players from both sides.