Much was not known about Kenwood Academy this early part of the season. Previous head coach Mike Irvin resigned shortly before the season. New Coach Joe Mason is assistant principal but has coached before. It was a mystery how long it would take for the players to take to the coach. Well looks like very well in this early season. They have talent but wasn't sure they'd be ready out the gate? First big time win in his second game coaching here. Here we go:
The game started with senior transfer TJ Seals (Johnson College Prep (Chicago)) scored the first basket for Kenwood to go up 2-0. DePaul Prep took over the rest of the quarter as junior Rykan Woo showed out as he would the entire game. DePaul Prep led 18-11 at the end of the first quarter. They usually hold these kind of leads with smart guard play and their pack line defense.
How would Kenwood respond? They responded very well with great team play, ball movement, and a boost off the bench from sophomores Damari Stephens and senior Chris Watkins. Stephens had a driving basket, a three, and Watkins had a key rebound put back. Kenwood went on a 16-6 run to lead at halftime 29-24.
Third quarter back comes DePaul Prep was Woo and senior Western Illinois commit Makai Kvamme started to percolate. Woo's rebound put back at the quarter buzzer gave DePaul Prep a 39-37 lead.
Fourth quarter was back and forth as Kvamme and Woo kept playing at a high level. Kenwood got contributions from multiple people the first part of the quarter. Senior Aleks Alston hits a huge three to give Kenwood a 46-44 lead. DePaul Prep tied it with a bucket in the lane by junior AJ Chambers. DePaul Prep had the experience advantage, but one Kenwood player has a state title ring. Senior Amari Edwards (#1) (transfer from State Champion Wendell Phillips Academy (Chicago)) took over for Kenwood. He made baskets on multiple attacks to the rim and mid range pull-up jumpers. Definitely showed he's been here before. Score was 52 apiece in the last minute. DePaul Prep had 0 fouls in the quater and started to foul to run time down. They got to 4 fouls with 8 seconds left as Kenwood had the ball. DePaul Prep made a mistake thinking they had one more foul to give. Kenwood inbounded to sophomore Devin Cleveland who was fouled by AJ Chambers with 5.2 seconds left. Cleveland went to the line for two free throws and made them both. After a DePaul Prep timeout, they inbounded to junior Rashawn Porter who lost it trying to pass up court. Kenwood intercepted the ball and celebrated their huge early season victory.
This was as high level basketball as it gets in the first week of the season. Kenwood is a serious contender for Chicago Public League and Class 4A State Titles. DePaul Prep is still the favorite in Class 3A. Kenwood continuously attacked the rim of the pack line defense of DePaul Prep.
Kenwood leading scorers:
Senior Amari Edwards 20
Sophomore Devin Cleveland 10
Senior Aleks Alston 9
Terrence "TJ" Seals 8
DePaul Prep leading scorers:
Junior Rykan Woo 16
Senior Makai Kvamme 12
Junior AJ Chambers 9
Kenwood Academy (Chicago) goes to 2-0 and moves up to #11 in Big Tim's Super 25.
DePaul College Prep (Chicago) drops to 3-1 and drops to #5 in Big Tim's Super 25.
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