Lincoln Park came in confident after beating Whitney Young (Chicago) and Oak Park River Forest. Phillips has a record of under 500 but play in the tough Chicago Public League Red Central. Lincoln Park is undefeated in Chicago Public League Red West/North. Here we go:
Wendell Phillips Academy (Chicago) 79 #14 Lincoln Park (Chicago) 74: Phillips protected their home court but it was not easy. Back and forth fast break game as both teams tried to push it at one another. Phillips went out to a 15-4 lead in the first few minutes of the first quarter. Lincoln Park calls timeout, changes to man to man and gets 14 steals and forced 15 turnovers in first half. Phillips cut it's turnovers in the second half to only 6 to end up with 21. Phillips led 19-13 after first quarter and 39-36 at halftime, Lincoln Park went up 5 points in the third quarter, but Phillips fought back to tied the game at 59 by end of the quarter. Fourth quarter Lincoln Park went between zone and man to man to try and stop Phillips three point shooting and penetration. Phillips went up by 7 at one point. Missed free throws by Phillips helped Lincoln Park cut the lead to 77-74 with 15 seconds left. Phillips threw the ball away in the backcourt, then Lincoln Park threw the ball away right back to Phillips. Lincoln Park had to foul and junior Lawrence "EJ" Horton hit two free throws for the final margin. Side note: a fan got kicked out of the gym in the second quarter by an official. Did not hear what was said but he was escorted out. Phillips leaders will be featured down low. Lincoln Park was led by sophomore forward Larry Harris who had 20 points 7 rebounds and 2 steals off the bench. Junior Chayse Turner had 12 points 2 rebounds 2 assists 7 steals and 3 blocks before fouling out. Junior Damian Pearson Jr had 12 points 5 rebounds 1 assist and 2 steals off the bench. Wendell Phillips Academy (Chicago) upped it's record to 5-5, while Lincoln Park (Chicago) drops to 8-3.
Lawrence "EJ" Horton, 6'2" junior combo guard, Wendell Phillips Academy (Chicago) attacked the basket constantly ending up with a game high 29 points (3 threes) 11 rebounds (double/double) 1 assist 3 steals and 3 blocks. He shot 8 of 10 from the free throw line.
Amari Edwards, 5'9" junior point guard, Wendell Phillips Academy (Chicago) scored on all three levels tonight with 2 threes, a bunch of mid range jump shots and driving finishes at the rim. Drew a few fouls and went to the line 8 times hitting 7. Had 23 points 5 rebounds 3 assists.
Phoenix Childs, 6'4" junior guard, Wendell Phillips Academy (Chicago) had two big rebounds off missed free throws in the final minute of the game giving his team two extra possessions. Had 7 points 15 rebounds 2 assists and 1 steal.
Top performances:
Marcus Owens of Englewood STEM (Chicago) exploded for 40 points tonight
Jakob Blakely of Walter Payton College Prep (Chicago) went for another 40 point game with 5 rebounds
Martrell Britten, Englewood STEM (Chicago) 15 points 10 rebounds (double/double)
Vashawn Washington, Englewood STEM (Chicago) 6 points 12 rebounds 5 blocks
Zion Young, Schaumburg 16 points (junior)
Nick Taylor, Glenbrook South (Glenview) 16 points
Ryan Tucker, Byron 31 points
Keith Davis Grove, Mather (Chicago) 22 points
Carson Bahrey, Somonauk 25 points
Domas Narcevicius, Stagg (Palos Hills) 19 points 7 rebounds
Derek Clark, South Elgin 15 points 11 rebounds (double/double)
Shailen Shukti, South Elgin 16 points (4 threes) (junior)
Eli Bach, Lincoln Way West (New Lenox) 16 points
Daniel Reniguntala, Lincoln Way West (New Lenox) 15 points
Terrible coaching by Lincoln Park, too busy arguing with the refs, opposing coaching and players