Final 4 Delivers: Curie, Lincoln Park Punch Tickets to CPS Title

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wednesday night's Final Four of Chicago's premier Public League tournament brought together four staples of Chicago Public School basketball and the matchups didn't disappoint.&nbsp;&nbsp;Lincoln Park High School survived a gritty battle with Hyde Park while Curie handled business convincingly against defending champion Kenwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a trip to the City Championship on the line, several prospects elevated their stock. Here's a look at the top performers from the night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2734369' first='Justin' last='Oliver'] | 2026 | Curie</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oliver wasted no time setting the tone. The senior guard thrived in transition converting tough, contested layups and making them look routine. He poured in 13 first-half points doing most of his damage from the mid-range and with crafty finishes in tight windows.&nbsp;&nbsp;When defensive adjustments came in the second half Oliver shifted gears seamlessly facilitating and creating for others. He dished out six assists after the break, showing poise and maturity beyond his years. Oliver's ability to score efficiently early and then control tempo late has Curie headed to its third City Championship appearance in recent years</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stat Line: 15 points, 6 assists, 3 steals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2823632' first='Kendall' last='Holliday'] | 2026 | Curie</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holliday brought energy and toughness to the frontcourt. The 6-4 forward did the dirty work crashing the offensive glass, extending possessions, and finishing through contact. Most of his scoring came off second-chance opportunities and his physical presence was pivotal in wearing down Kenwood.&nbsp;&nbsp;He was the glue piece that helped Curie maintain control throughout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stat Line: 14 points, 9 rebounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2323622' first='Damari' last='Stephens'] | 2027 | Kenwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stephens showed why he's one of the more intriguing underclassmen in the field. The 6-4 junior used his size and handle to create space in the lane and manufacture offense when Kenwood needed it most. Even as the game tilted in Curie's favor, Stephens continued competing knocking down a tough fadeaway with a defender draped over him and finishing through contact. His blend of size and skill makes him a name to monitor in the 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stat Line: 15 points, 5 rebounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2105399' first='Ahmad' last='Lee'] | 2026 | Lincoln Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6-4 Lee is a long and dynamic guard who lives in attack mode. He consistently got downhill using his wiry frame and shifty handle to keep defenders guessing. His pace and burst put constant pressure on the defense.&nbsp;&nbsp;What stood out most was his all-around impact. Lee filled the stat sheet and influenced the game on both ends with activity and instincts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stat Line: 17 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 5 steals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2831535' first='Larry' last='Harris'] | 2026 | Lincoln Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris may be listed at 6-3, but he plays much taller. An explosive leaper with strength he did much of his work in the paint and short post. Once he seals defenders, he's difficult to stop, elevating off two feet and finishing through traffic. He's essentially a big in a guard's body and that versatility makes him a matchup problem. Lincoln Park now advances to its first CPS Championship game in over a century and Harris has been the engine behind the surge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stat Line: 17 points, 17 rebounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zyere McNeal | 2026 | Hyde Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McNeal capitalized when foul trouble shifted momentum. With Harris on the bench he dominated the glass and imposed his size advantage. Seven of his 11 rebounds came on the offensive end, leading to second-chance buckets and momentum plays. McNeal powered through contact and secured a double-double in a hard-fought loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stat Line: 10 points, 11 rebounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More Key Contributors</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2734375' first='Jaylen' last='Dickerson'] | 2026 | Lincoln Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smooth, composed guard who always seems under control. Contributed 12 points and 5 assists in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2864914' first='Osiris' last='Bell'] | 2027 | Kenwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Active defender who tallied 11 points and 4 steals before exiting late with a leg injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3361104' first='Saquon' last='Commings'] | 2026 | Curie</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Efficient at the line (5-6) and finished with 11 points helping seal the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2864925' first='Amare' last='LeFlore'] | 2026 | Hyde Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sparked a fourth-quarter push with back-to-back steals leading to transition scores. Finished with 9 points before fouling out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Final Thoughts</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Final Four showcased everything that makes Chicago Public League basketball special — physicality, pace, guard play, and relentless competitiveness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Curie's depth and balance proved overwhelming while Lincoln Park's dynamic duo has them poised to make history. With the City Championship next expect another high-level battle between two programs peaking at the right time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->