Dyett holds off Manual rally, races into Class 2A state final

By Joey Gelman

Upon arriving in Champaign, the question swirling around the arena was, “How do you pronounce Dyett,?” as many reporters, fans and staff had yet to see, let alone hear of, this year’s lone CPS representative in the IHSA Boys Basketball State semifinals. Is it pronounced like you’re on a “diet” or “dye-ette?”

Well now everyone will have to know their name (pronounced like diet by the way), as the Eagles are making their first-ever trip to the IHSA 2A Boys Basketball State Championship after a 54-50 win over Peoria Manual.

The semifinal game against Manual was a tough back-and-forth matchup. According to Dyett Head Coach Jamaal Gill, the two teams “mirrored each other.”

While the two teams traded baskets, 10 combined turnovers led to a low-scoring 14-10 lead for the Eagles at the end of the first quarter.

With senior wing Rickey Coleman in foul trouble early, Dyett had to rely on its depth to keep its state championship dreams alive.

“We’re a deep team, I can probably go 12-deep, next man up,” Gill said.

Manual made a run at the end of the first half, taking a 21-20 lead into the locker room but it was Dyett who had the upper hand once again in the third quarter.

And that upper hand was a surprise coach Gill was hoping to use all along.

“I like to surprise teams,” Gill said. “We kept that little gem in our pocket of that we were going to surprise them with a zone. That little gem of a defense has really given a lot of other teams trouble this year.”

The zone worked as a tight fourth quarter saw the Eagles come out on top with the four-point victory, securing their spot in the championship game.

In addition to the defensive change, junior Jahmir Brown proved to be clutch, providing 11 points off the bench in key moments that helped secure the victory.

“Tonight has been what he’s done over the last three games. He’s very athletic, he can score with both hands, his confidence is through the roof, we don’t want to put this flame out,” Gill said.

The players are taking this moment in for as long as it goes, but they never doubted they would be on this big stage.

“To be quite honest, from the start (we knew we were good),” senior Jayden McKinnon said. “Since last season, we knew we fell short of what we wanted to achieve. We have some guys on this team, so we said let’s make a run. We got the bodies, we got the talent, why not.”

Dyett will take on a tough Althoff Catholic team on Saturday at 3 p.m. and no matter the outcome, Gill is proud of his team and what they have accomplished.

“These guys have put in a lot of hard work, (and) our hard work is now being noticed,” Gill said. “To come down here and represent the city has been amazing. It’s a true testament to those late nights. Just seeing the support we had coming out here is amazing. The entire city has supported us and I just want to say thank you to you all.”

And how will Gill prepare for the championship?

“Celebrate with the guys, I want them to enjoy it, but first, we’re going to get some food, then relax, then plan.”

Photos by Joseph Gelman/OSA