CHICAGO (WLS) — There have been a number of celebrations Thursday for quite a lot of Chicago-area highschool basketball groups after successful state championships over the weekend.
For one crew, it was further particular for his or her coach as properly.
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It has been a busy week of celebrating for Chicago-area highschool boys basketball groups. All 4 state division titles had been gained by groups from the Chicago space, together with Hope Academy on the Close to West Aspect.
It could have been the shot of the season, a three-quarter courtroom buzzer beater within the state semi-final sport. However for Hope Academy star Tyjuan Hunter, truly successful the state championship was extra essential. He and his teammates celebrated that title Thursday.
It was the trophy their well-known coach by no means gained as probably the greatest gamers in state historical past. Ronnie Fields performed at Farragut Excessive College within the mid-90s. He was launched by Illinois Secretary of State and former highschool star Alexi Giannoulias.
“In the event you performed basketball in highschool in Illinois and across the nation, you needed to be Ronnie Fields, as a result of he was the most important mega-star Chicago hoops had ever seen,” Giannoulis stated.
That is the second 12 months Fields has coached the small personal college on the West Aspect.
“They most likely bored with listening to about my historical past and what I’ve completed,” Fields stated. “They creating their very own historical past proper now.”
“Him being a giant star, he is aware of cope with the large strain second,” Hunter stated.
Dyett Excessive College in Washington Park additionally handled the strain, successful the state 4A title, which was virtually closed due to low enrollment a decade in the past. The crew celebrated with Mayor Brandon Johnson Thursday afternoon at Metropolis Corridor.
DePaul Faculty Prep in Roscoe Village gained the 3A championship, although the celebration is on maintain whereas they’re on spring break.
In west suburban Lisle, Benet Academy is celebrating the state 4A championship with an enormous pep rally of their very own. It is a second gamers will at all times keep in mind.
“It is like one thing I can solely dream,” stated Jayden Wright with Benet Academy. “It does not appear actual.”
Hope Academy will attempt to repeat the state championship, however due to their success, they’re transferring as much as class 2A subsequent season.
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