By Joey Gelman
(Photo Galleries To Come)
The 2024 Chicago Public League Boys Varsity Championship will feature familiar faces, as Whitney Young and Jones square off once again for the title. Last season saw Whitney Young capture the title in a thriller over Jones, as the two teams look to have another exciting title game tilt!
Semi Final Game 1 – Lane Tech vs. Whitney Young
The first semi final game of the night featured a back and forth three-set match between the Dolphins and Champions. Lane Tech took the first set 26-24, but it was Whitney Young who won back to back sets (25-22, 25-19) to secure their spot in the 2024 championship game. #10 Liem Doan led the way for Lane Tech in Kills (7), but it was the balanced attack of Young’s outside hitters that helped lead the team to victory. #0 Seth Williams led the charge with 14 kills followed by #3 Cayden Kirby’s 6 kills and 1 block.
Semi Final Game 2 – Jones vs. Payton
The second semi final game of the night featured a tightly contested first set as Payton gave it their all against last year’s runner-ups but ultimatley fell 26-24 in set one, and Jones took over in the second set despite a strong push by the Grizzlies at the end of the second set to win 25-20 to punch their ticket to the championship. #9 Francis Richmond led the way for the Grizzlies in kills but it was Merrimack-bound Dallas Birkenbeuel (#9) who took over the game for the Eagles totaling 9 kills, closely folllowed by #11 Spencer Lee (6 kills).
Whitney Young and Jones will compete in the championship on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 6:30pm at Little Village High School (3120 S Kostner Ave, Chicago, IL 60623).
Photos by Jim Vincent/OSA
