By Noah Poser

While there were numerous high profile varsity championships scheduled during CPL Basketball Championship week, those in attendance at Westinghouse College Prep Friday night might have been treated to the most intense and passionate basketball of all.

Because not only were those fans able to watch not one, but two teams win CPS city championships in the sophomore division, they were also able to capture a glimpse of the future of Chicago basketball in the process.

Butler sophomore girls use big fourth quarter to take down Phillips

Entering the final quarter, the championship game between Butler and Phillips had been one of countless momentum shifts, as neither team could gain separation from one another.

It wasn’t until Butler outscored Phillips 18-6 in the final quarter, en route to a 52-39 victory and the CPS sophomore city championship crown, that everybody watching was finally able to catch their collective breaths.

That is, everybody aside from Butler coach Eddie Niles, who despite the back and forth affair, hadn’t been worried about whether his team would come out on top or not.

That’s because he had prepared his team for this exact type of game and had told them exactly how they were going to win it.

“We won because of defense,” Niles said. “Phillips made a run coming out of the half, but I told the girls at halftime that basketball is a game of runs and all we have to do is withstand those runs. And that’s what we did. They made their run and went up two points and after that, we made our run to end the game behind great defense.”

The Butler defense, which held the Wildcats to six points or less in both the opening and final quarters, was one of the stories of the game. But another was the play of freshman Kerminicia Wellington and sophomore Mia McGee, who combined to carry the Lynx to the title behind some clutch second half play.

“Kerminicia played really well with a big target on her back,” Niles said. “But my point guard, Mia, came in clutch, too. I kept telling her not to get down on herself and she stepped up. She hit a three in the second half and made some free throws as well to help ice the game for us.”

McGee was slightly more critical of her performance than her coach was, as she was only willing to give her game a “nine out of 10.” She said she had to take away a point due to missed free throws.

But ultimately, she was mostly just excited to celebrate the championship with her team.

“We’re gonna post about it,” McGee joked. “Nah, I’m just playing. We’re probably going to go out to dinner to celebrate, you know, get something good to eat for sure.”

Curie takes Simeon to the wire, but sophomore boys Wolverines end up on top

It was clear from watching the demeanor of the players, the coaches and even the parents and other fans yelling in the stands throughout the game, that this moment meant something to all involved, more so than that of your typical sophomore CPS city championship game.

So when Simeon finally shut the door on a 49-45 victory to clinch the city title,  while there was a bit of celebration, the overwhelming sense in the building was more of a “mission accomplished.”

Simeon coach Patrell Green says it’s a testament to the culture that’s been built at his school and the high standard of excellence that’s been put into place.

“As soon as I became part of the team, I learned they (Simeon) had an affirmation they said all the time, which was ‘Simeon on three, city champs on six,’” Green said. “As soon as I heard that, I understood the standard before I saw any of these guys even play basketball at all. 

“Then I got out there and started coaching them and saw their ability to defend and move the ball and I knew right then we would be the best team because we were going to be the deepest.”

And ultimately, it was the depth of his team that proved to be the key factor that would propel them to victory, as eight different Wolverines scored throughout the game, five of whom scored more than five points.

They were led by Jayvin Turner, who scored 12 points and Jayden King, who scored 10 points. 

And in keeping with the Simeon spirit, King, mere moments after the final buzzer had sounded on their championship victory, was already thinking about what’s next for him and his team before he could even put Friday’s city title into perspective.

“It’s such a crazy feeling, really,” King said. “It’s unbelievable how great it feels to win. It feels so good to get this done and it just makes me want to be here again (at the varsity level) next year.”