CHAMPAIGN—Hope Academy, a small private school on the West Side, opened in 2005 and started winning regional basketball championships with regularity in 2010.
Antwon Johnson, the school’s second basketball coach, raised the bar with a third place finish at state in 2017. Hope’s coaches and students made an impact that weekend in Peoria, impressing observers with their attitude and sportsmanship as much as their play.
Chicago basketball legend Ronnie Fields took over the team last year and was an instant success. The former Farragut star led the Eagles all the way Champaign, where they lost in the state semifinals.
Point guard Tyjuan Hunter was a revelation last March, opening eyes in the semifinal loss.
Hunter and Fields developed a special player/coach bond. Their goal this season was a return to Champaign and a state championship.
Saturday at State Farm Center that mission was achieved with a 71-38 victory against Eastland in the Class 1A state title game.
“It’s just a great bond,” Hunter said. “I can call [Fields] if I need something. I’m thankful he’s my coach. He played. He knows how it feels to play at state and he believes in me. We are bringing this back to the West Side and it feels great.”
Fields and Kevin Garnett were the most exciting duo in Illinois hoops high school history. But they couldn’t win a state championship in 1995. Farragut was upset by Thornton in the state quarterfinals.
On the same court 30 years later, Fields finally won his championship as part of a much different duo: coach and player.
“I’ve been in a lot of pressure situations in my life,” Fields said. “It’s gratifying to be in this moment after watching the kids learn from me and giving them an understanding of what to do in games like this.”
Hunter is a dynamic, daring playmaker and he thrives with the freedom and trust Fields places him. Hunter put on a show in the third quarter. He scored 17 and made three three-pointers as the Eagles took control of the game.
“The game was too close,” Hunter said. “We needed a bigger lead and I had to change my mode.”
Hunter finished with 26 points, 11 assists and five rebounds. He shot 10 of 15 from the field and 3-for-4 from three-point range.
Fields and Hunter didn’t do it alone. The Eagles (35-4) dominated Eastland on the boards. Leaper Jaiden Simmons, a 6-5 junior, finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore Trentyn McGinnis added nine rebounds.
Senior Malik Meridy contributed 11 points, six rebounds and two steals for Hope Academy (28-7)
“I don’t remember the last team from where we are at to win it,” Meridy said. It feels good to bring it back.”
It’s the first state championship in any sport for Hope.
Eastland (34-5), which finished fourth in Class 1A in 2010 and 2013, was led by Parker Krogman (17 points) and Adam Awender (15 points).
Check back later for more, including reaction from players and coaches.