[A preview of my article this week in the Inside—Booster.]
By Jack Lydon
Lincoln Park battled Kenwood Thursday for the top of the CPL’s Red—Shield division. Kenwood is just too good. The Lions (21-4, 9-2) battled the Broncos (32-1, 11-0) but in the end Kenwood defeated the Lions 70-61 by breaking Lincoln Park’s press, scoring in transition and making free throws. The Lions just could out score Kenwood in the closing minutes.
“They are the number one team in the state for a reason. They are battle tested. That’s a good team,” Lincoln Park head coach Joshua Anderson said of Kenwood. This really was one of those games where both teams played well enough to win and one team was just a little bit better and won at the end.
It was a two-point game at the half with Kenwood ahead 28-26. But in the third quarter, Kenwood’s sophomore guard and top ranked sophomore in the state, Devin Cleveland, took over with three straight buckets, seniors “tj” Seals, Alex Alston and Amari Edwards each added a bucket. The Broncos two-point lead became ten points.
The energy in Lincoln Park tiny little gym was off the scale. The cheering was deafening. In places, the feet of the fans sitting in the front row are literally on the court. The environment would be tough for even the finest teams.
Kenwood was not phased by the atmosphere. Every game they play is a tough game. They regained the number one ranking two weeks ago after close victories, but still victories over Whitney Young, Cure and Chaminade.
There was a long stoppage of play midway through the third quarter with the Lions behind by nine. The cause of the stoppage related to a disturbance at the scorer’s table and was not immediately evident. One report suggested an argument between the couches. It soon involved fans from the opposing teams arguing back and forth. One supporter of Lincoln Park was escorted from the gym. Ultimately, technical fouls were assessed against both head coaches forcing them to sit on their respective benches for the rest of the game.
Strangely, the stoppage helped Lincoln Park. They rallied.
“[My team] got a little motivated off after that little scuffle, whatever happening. [The refs] made me sit down. When I am up, I am the energy. At that time, they saw that I couldn't be with them. They rallied together and said . . . we're gonna find the energy ourselves with each other,” Anderson said.
The Lions dialed up the energy and chipped away at Kenwood’s lead. Lincoln Park’s junior forward Larry Harris led the way for the Lions with ten-points to get the Lions.
With 2:20 to play, the game was even at 60. Lincoln Park continued its full court press. Kenwood’s senior point guard Amari Edwards took control. With Lincoln Park in its high pressure full court press, Edwards calming and deliberately brought the ball up court with crisp passes and few dribbles.
“I think Amari Edwards, he's a really good player. He's a really good floor general for sure. He picked us apart at the end and he kind of took control of the game,” Anderson said of Edwards.
In crunch time with the game on the line, Edwards broke the press and the Broncos were able to get points in transition. He also added some key free throws to seal the victory.
This might not be the last time that the Lions and the Broncos meet this year. They are the top two Chicago Public League teams and could easily meet in the upcoming City Championship tournament.
And then, both teams are assigned to the toughest sectional of any in the IHSA boys basketball playoffs—Hinsdale Central. That sectional has #1 Kenwood, #6 Hinsdale Central, #8 Lincoln Park, #15 Curie, #17 Simeon, #24 St. Ignatius, and previously ranked and always dangerous, Whitney Young. No other sectional in state comes close to have that many good teams.
