For the past two seasons, Simeon high school stood between Marshall high school and an Illinois High School Association state boy’s basketball title. However, Saturday at Carver Arena in downstate Peoria, the Commandos finally were able solve the mystery
In the first-ever state championship game between two Public League teams, Marshall defeated Simeon, 69- 61 for their first boy’s state championship since 1960.
The state title for the Commandos comes just two weeks after the school girl’s team had won the state 3-A title in Normal. Marshall thus becomes the first school to win the boys and girls title in the same year since Teutopolis pulled off the trick in 1986.
“It’s just been a magical season for us,” said Marshall boys head coach Courtney Hargrays, who also serves as an assistant coach on the girls titlewinning team. “Winning the Public League title, the girl’s winning state and now us winning state.”
The victory for the Commandos eliminated the sting of two straight losses to Simeon in the state Class AA semifinals in 2006 and 2007. Leading Marshall to the victory over the Wolverines was senior forward Ryan Hare who had 19 points and six rebounds.
Ironically, Hare and several of his Commando teammates were considering not playing this season when former coach Lamont Bryant was fired prior to the start of this season. However, all the turmoil from the start of the season was forgotten as the Commandos celebrated their title at mid-court at Carver Arena. “Coach pulled us together this season,” guard Darius Davis said of Hargrays.
For Simeon, the loss ended their run of two straight state championships. After the graduation of stars Derrick Rose, Tim Flowers, Kevin Johnson and Bryant Orange, no one expected the Wolverines to be back to defend their title.
However, they surprised everyone with a great season. “Nobody thought we would be back here,” said Wolverines head coach Robert Smith.
“This shows the amount of work these kids put in this season.” Simeon got a fantastic performance in the title game loss from senior center Stan Simpson who had a game-high 29 points, nine rebounds and six blocked shots before fouling out late in the contest. Simeon was able to cut a Marshall lead to 63-60 with 35 seconds left in the game on a Kenyon Smith basket, but free throws by Hare and Adarius Simmons clinched the title for the Commandos.
Marshall had reached the title game with a 63-57 win over downstate Washington while Simeon recorded a come-from-behind 51-46 win over Champaign Central. The Class 4-A title also came back to the Chicago area as Richards of suburban Oak Lawn defeated Zion-Benton, 67-63.
Richards was inspired by the appearance at the game of NBA superstar Dwyane Wade, a former player and student at the high school. Although their season didn’t end with a city or state championship, the Englewood high school boy’s team had plenty to celebrate this season.
The Eagles, who finished with a 24- 4 record, were honored at a pep rally at the school, which is phasing out at the end of this school year. “This was truly a very special team,” said Larry Huggins of Rite-Way Construction and huge supporter of the school. “Before, people heard the word Englewood and it was in a negative way.
Now, when people say the name Englewood they will be thinking about high school basketball.” On hand at the pep rally was 27th Ward Ald. Latasha Thomas and Darrell Jones of Nike, which donated $5,000 to the Englewood Boys and Girls Club. In addition, Nike ‘retired’ the numbers of all the members of this year’s team.
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Center Michael Dunigan of Farragut was chosen to compete in the annual McDonald’s All-American game, March 26 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. Joining Dunigan will be Iman Shumpert of Oak Park. Dunigan and Shumpert also have been chosen to take part in the Jordan Brand All-Star Game, which will be played April 19 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
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