The Public League playoffs, extensively referred to as the town event, date again to 1901. They’re a Chicago establishment and a treasure.
That is the 123rd version. There was no event in 2021 on account of COVID. The format has modified by means of the years as each Chicago Public Faculties sports activities administration values it otherwise.
Curie or Simeon has appeared within the title recreation for the previous ten tournaments. The Condors are the defending champions and Simeon received in 2023. For no matter purpose, this yr two of the quarterfinals had been hosted by Corliss and the town powerhouses met for an odd midday tipoff on Saturday.
As quickly because the ball hit the courtroom, the depth arrived. Seven technical fouls and two hours later, the Condors held a 74-68 victory over No. 13 Simeon and a spot within the closing 4 on Thursday.
Mike Oliver Jr. scored 23 factors and grabbed 5 rebounds. He scored 11 within the first quarter to assist the Condors construct a lead and sealed the win on the finish, making 5 of 6 free throws within the closing 32 seconds to carry off any Simeon comeback.
Curie coach Mike Oliver says that whereas the sport is going on he doesn’t absolutely recognize that Oliver Jr. is his son.
“He’s simply one other participant in the course of the recreation,” Oliver stated. “However in a while after I suppose again and understand that my son contributed like that at the moment in an elite eight recreation it will be actually particular.”
“I used to be [excited] since 9 a.m. this morning,” Oliver Jr stated. “I used to be prepared. I dreamed of this as a bit child so I’m simply having fun with the second.”
The Condors (20-8) misplaced to Simeon (19-7) twice this yr, as soon as on the Pontiac Vacation Event in late December after which in a convention recreation at Curie on Jan. 31.
“The distinction this time was taking part in arduous on protection and limiting turnovers,” Condors senior Brad Johnson stated. “We’re on the rise once more.”
Johnson completed 17 factors and eight rebounds. Senior Justin Oliver added 15 factors and 4 rebounds.
Curie led 37-35 early within the third quarter. Simeon’s bench picked up a technical within the second quarter, however a lot of the recreation’s drama occurred within the second half. The Wolverines completed with a complete of 5 technical fouls. They got to varied gamers and an assistant coach. Curie coach Mike Oliver picked up one in all his personal whereas Simeon was taking pictures free throws for a technical on a Curie participant.
“I knew it was going to be a heated recreation however I’ve by no means seen 5 technical fouls on a workforce,” Oliver stated. “The referees let it get out of hand a bit bit. Each groups had been chirping.”
Senior Lorenzo Shields led Simeon with 23 factors and Julien Doyle added 19. Junior Andre Tyler Jr. completed with 13 factors, 11 rebounds and three blocks off the bench.
“It’s about understanding what it’s good to do,” Simeon coach Tim Flowers stated. “It doesn’t matter for those who’ve overwhelmed a workforce two occasions earlier than. We simply didn’t rebound properly sufficient. We gave up too many alternatives for second-chance factors.”
Curie will play Hyde Park winner within the semifinals on Thursday at UIC’s Credit score Union 1 Enviornment. The championship recreation is at UIC on Saturday.
