Boys basketball semifinals

By Dominic Scianna

Game #1

The Lions of Lincoln Park (20-7) and head coach Joshua Anderson advanced to their first-ever Chicago Public League (CPL) boys city championship final, defeating Hyde Park 52-43 behind the stellar play of seniors Ahmad Lee and Larry Harris, who both tallied 17 points and combined for 10 rebounds in the win.

After trailing 12-10 after the first quarter, Lincoln Park held the Thunderbirds to just four points in the second period to take a 24-16 lead into halftime and never looked back. The Lions shot 47 percent for the game (17-of-36) and also got key contributions from senior Jaylen Dickerson, who was 4-of-4 from the field and finished with 12 points for the victors.

Hyde Park stayed close in the see-saw contest, getting balanced scoring from senior Zyere McNeal (10 points, 11 rebounds), to go with a nine-point and five-steal effort from Amare Leflore (senior) and eight points from junior Camarion Weathers in defeat.

Lincoln Park will now face the Curie Condors in a CPL Championship Final matchup tonight at Credit Union1 Arena on the campus of the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Game #2

Curie (25-1) punched its ticket back to the CPL finals for a third straight year with a 64-50 victory over reigning CPL champion Kenwood (17-8). Coach Mike Oliver’s squad trailed early in the contest but took a commanding 34-21 lead into the halftime break led by senior Justin Oliver, who had 13 of his 15 points in the first half. Seniors Kendall Holliday (14 points and nine rebounds) and Saquan Commings (11 points) also keyed the victory for the Condors,

The Broncos of Kenwood had three players finish in double figures with Damari Stephens leading the way with his 15 points and five rebounds, to go with Jordan Walker’s 13 points and Osiris Bell’s 11 points and four steals.

The Condors shot 51 percent for the game, connecting on 23-of-45 field goals, while holding Kenwood to 17-49 (34.7%) for the game.

Curie will face Lincoln Park in the aforementioned CPL boys basketball championship final at Credit Union1 Arena on Friday. Tipoff is set for 8pm.

Photos by Lucy Loevner, Amundsen student