Simeon Career Academy is the best known high school basketball program in Chicago. It's famous for producing NBA players like Derrick Rose and Jabari Parker and for winning a ton of titles.
Because Simeon is so loaded with talent, many of the city's top players are sitting on Simeon's bench, waiting their turn.
A month into this high school season, Simeon is looking like the top team in Illinois and their senior star Talen Horton-Tucker (Iowa State) is looking like the state's top player!
#1 Simeon (11-2) faced #2 Chicago Curie (10-2) in the championship of the 87th annual Pontiac Holiday Tournament. Both teams were undefeated against in-state teams.
Curie is big, physical, quick, talented and deep and still they were no match for Simeon on this day.
For Talen Horton-Tucker, the time is NOW! He played 2 seasons on the JV/Sophomore team but now the varsity team is his.
Tucker led Simeon with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists in their 67-48 win. He showed confidence at both ends. He blocked shots and also made the best passes of the day!
After the game Coach Rob Smith said: "I don’t know if there is another player in the state that can do all the things he can on the floor.”
Simeon junior Kejuan Clements and Bakari Simmons (son of former NBA vet Bobby Simmons) each scored 10 points and transfer Zion Young added eight.
Curie Condors were led by junior transfer Marquise Walker (20 points). He was the only Condor is double figures.
Thanks to Jim Drengwitz and everyone at Illinois' premier high school basketball holiday tournament, the 2017 Pontiac Holiday Tournament!
Check out these raw highlights from Chicago Simeon's Pontiac Holiday Tournament championship game versus #2 Chicago Curie!
Check out Coach Rob Smith's postgame comments!
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