Kenwood survives Lincoln Park’s hostile environment, clinches top seed in city playoffs

Years from now, when the current Kenwood and Lincoln Park players are in college or the NBA, observers will say Chicago players are different—tougher, more resilient, and full of a special extra something.

That magic is grown in games like top-ranked Kenwood at No. 8 Lincoln Park. The Lions’ gym is ridiculously loud and hot and tiny. The floor is slippery. Fans in the first row have their feet on the court. It’s a difficult place to breathe, hard even to exist in, much less play a high-level basketball game.

It was the first visit to Lincoln Park for Kenwood sophomore sensation Devin Cleveland.

“It was crazy,” Cleveland said. “People’s feet are in the game. I can’t even drive in the corner because it is so congested.”

The Broncos took on all of the challenges and left with a 70-61 win on Thursday that secured the Red Shield conference title and the top spot in the Public League playoffs that start on Tuesday.

“I needed to step up,” Cleveland said. “It is winning time right now. My dad said it was time to turn it up. You know what everyone thinks you are. Time to show it.”

Cleveland led the way with 17 points. Senior Amari Edwards scored 15 for Kenwood (23-1, 11-0 Red Shield), which picked up key contributions off the bench from Jumir Aguda-Batie and Kingston Watson.

“I told Jumir as soon as he got in to be ready, that I was going to throw him the ball,” Cleveland said. “I said catch it and be a force. Don’t worry about dribbling. Then the first time I saw him he was dunking it. I believe in every single one of my teammates, one through 15.”

There was a 15-minute delay with 2:26 left in the third quarter and Kenwood leading 46-37. A fan was eventually ejected from the game and both teams were given technical fouls in all the confusion.

The Broncos were unfazed and built a 50-40 late in the third quarter. But Lincoln Park came storming back. Chayse Turner’s steal and dunk with 6:02 left to play pulled the Lions within 54-52 and lit up the gym. Junior Larry Harris had back-to-back rebounds and scores and gave the Lions a 60-58 lead with 2:35 left.

That’s when Kenwood’s bench stepped up. Watson came in cold off the bench and scored on a driving layup. Aguda-Batie threw down a dunk and the Broncos retook the lead and saw the win out.

“This is a great team,” Kenwood coach Joseph Mason. “The guys were prepared and knew what to do when they stepped on the court, even after being on the bench the whole game.”

Harris led Lincoln Park with 20 points and six rebounds. Junior Kaydin Williams scored 19 points and Turner finished with 10.

“[Edwards] is a really good floor general and picked us apart at the end,” Lincoln Park coach Josh Anderson said. “[Kenwood] is a very battle-tested team. They are No. 1 for a reason. I have so much respect for those coaches and players. I look forward to the battles ahead. We are going to see them again.”