By Michael Wojtychiw
The Phillips and Curie boys basketball programs seem to have something working for them.
Both programs had their sophomore and varsity teams made it to at least the final four of the Chicago Public League playoffs. Phillips’ varsity squad lost in the semifinals to Kenwood, but its sophomores were making their first city title appearance in a long time.
Its opponent, however, was making a repeat appearance at UIC’s Credit Union 1 Arena on the last Saturday of the regular season. Curie played in the sophomore boys city championship title game in 2023 when it faced off with Young’s talented freshman squad and saw its comeback fall short, losing 54-51.
Unlike last year, however, the Condors’ comeback was good enough for a 61-60 win and an avenged loss, taking down the Wildcats for the city championship.
“The talk going into the fourth quarter was ‘This is who we are, we’re built for these moments,'” Curie coach Devin Foster said. “We’ve been here all year. I told them that we’ve faced adversity all season. Going into the playoffs, we just needed to stick together and play basketball.
“To be here last year and lose the way we did…the hard work and the dedication in the summertime, the fall, it was all put together for this moment right here.”
As one would expect in a championship game, a tight battle ensued throughout the first half. After a one-point Condor lead after one quarter, the two teams both scored 12 points in the second period, sending the two teams into the break with a one-point lead for Curie. The Condors saw six of the eight players who saw playing time score at least three points in the half.
The Wildcats took control in the third quarter, however. After outscoring the Condors 20-12 to take a seven-point lead into the final period, the Wildcats were able to extend the lead to 13 with 6:11 remaining in the contest.
But that’s when Curie would slowly, but surely start its climb back.
Down 52-39 with just under six minutes remaining, the Condors would close the game on a 22-8 run to end the game.
“It was a really fun year this year,” Curie’s Sa’Quan Cummings said. “I knew how it was going to be after last year so all I had to do was come out and play.”
The Condors forced eight turnovers in the run, including a steal by Tobyus Banks Jr. in the closing seconds.
“We came with a lot of energy,” Cummings said. “Once we started playing more aggressive, things changed.”
“”It’s now or never,” Foster said. “After this, there’s no more games. There’s no second-, third-chances. My guys locked in and made the right rotations and decisions when needed.”
Sa’Quan Cummings led the way for Curie with 18 points and six rebounds, while Banks added 14 points and Justin Oliver 10. Johnathan Duncan and Bruce Thomas both had 17 points for Phillips and Camarie Richardson scored 15.
Photos by Brandon Parker/OSA
