Curie Allowed To Play, Loses State Regional

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Mar 5, 2014 7:20PM

Sometimes karma's a bitch. While the IHSA cleared Curie High School to play in the state tournament despite being stripped of their Public League title, the powerhouse lost in their 4A regional opener Tuesday. The state's top ranked team was stunned by DuSable High School 88-85 in overtime.

Chicago Public Schools had stripped the team of 24 wins and its Public League championship for using seven academically ineligible players throughout the season, and coach Mike Oliver had been suspended. While Oliver was reinstated in the wake of the IHSA ruling before the game, the Condors played without brothers Joseph and Josh Stamps as well as one other player who failed to meet state eligibility guidelines. Senior guard Joseph and junior guard/forward Josh were the Condors top perimeter players and a key part of the team's success this season.

Without the Stamps brothers, Kansas-bound star Cliff Alexander was unable to carry the load on Tuesday despite his 25 points, 15 rebounds and 8 blocked shots. Alexander fouled out in the final minutes of regulation and Curie lost on the court for the first time all season, ending their title hopes. Of course, it'd have been strange even by Chicago standards to see a champion who went 0-24 during their regular season.