5 Takeaways: Curie vs Whitney Young

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the second night in a row at Hinsdale Central the sectional semis between CPS powers lived up to the billing.&nbsp; Wednesday it was Curie taking on Whitney Young.&nbsp; It was a back and forth game with runs both ways.&nbsp; Curie made the last one in the final minute to take home the 59-56 victory.&nbsp; Here is our <strong>5 Takeaways: Curie vs Whitney Young</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Have a Breakout Junior Season [player_tooltip player_id='2734369' first='Justin' last='Oliver']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Have to start out with the performance of [player_tooltip player_id='2734369' first='Justin' last='Oliver'].&nbsp; What a junior campaign this point guard has had.&nbsp; He went from complete unknown to the best player on one of the best teams in the state.&nbsp; The lead guard put on a complete show in this game getting whatever he wanted whenever he wanted.&nbsp; Slick ball handler that is so slippery through traffic for euro steps and soft touch finishes.&nbsp; Plus mid-range shooter that can pull up on a dime.&nbsp; Hit a key three late behind a ball screen.&nbsp; Like how he continues to improve as a passer and is a true leader!&nbsp; Went for 24 points.<br><br><strong>Johnson Hits Big Shot Late to Take Lead</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest shot of the night was from senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2452415' first='Brad' last='Johnson'] who we have been on since last spring.&nbsp; He is a wing with size, strength, and shot making ability which is what he did banging in the three that gave his team the lead for good.&nbsp; Explosive wing that can get out in transition and crashed the glass as well as knocking in shots.&nbsp; He had 13 points.&nbsp; Mike Oliver Jr hit a couple of key threes early in the game for the CPS power.&nbsp; The x-factor seems to always be a combination of senior [player_tooltip player_id='2415816' first='Jahkil' last='Jackson'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2540149' first='Tobyus' last='Banks'] who both made key plays late in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clark Has Top 2026 Guard on Lock</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitney Young 2026 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1552475' first='Marquis' last='Clark'] is the top guard in his class and there is not a lot that will change that moving forward.&nbsp; In his final game as a junior he was excellent recording 19 points in the loss.&nbsp; Like the strength, fluidity, pace, and ball handling he brings to the table.&nbsp; Such a crafty finisher around the hoop with his ability to make difficult layups.&nbsp; Also is willing to take weaker guards in the post and punish them with quick moves.&nbsp; Capable shooter that hit a very tough pull up three.&nbsp; Like how he gets to the line as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dolphins Role Players Step Up</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liked how the role players for the Dolphins stepped up with their star senior [player_tooltip player_id='1385300' first='Antonio' last='Munoz'] in foul trouble ultimately fouling out with 5:40 left in the game.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1545124' first='Damajay' last='Richardson'] is going to be an outstanding small college/JUCO get late in the process.&nbsp; He is a tough guard that makes winning plays.&nbsp; Plus shooter from three that made sound decisions with the ball and slashed it on his way to 12 points.&nbsp; Fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1552473' first='Alijah' last='Little'] also flashed with a few plays and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2125591' first='Caden' last='Crudup'] played very well recording 7 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CPS Title Rematch Friday</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up for Curie is the team they saw a couple weeks ago in the city title game in Kenwood!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->