Lincoln Park High School Basketball Team Makes Historic Return to Championship Game After Over a Century

In a moment that will be cherished for generations, the Lincoln Park High School Lions basketball team erupted in a jubilant locker room celebration. This historic event marks their advancement to the Chicago Public League Championship game for the first time since 1904, a feat not accomplished in more than a century.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” exclaimed Jaylon Dickerson, a senior on the team, as he reflected on the significance of the achievement. “All we’ve got to do is accomplish it,” he added, expressing the team’s determination to seize this moment.

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The Lions’ remarkable journey has not only energized the team but also inspired the broader community. Head coach Josh Anderson, whose leadership has been pivotal, remarked, “It’s an amazing feeling, inspiring these boys. It’s uplifting the community.”

Anderson’s commitment to the program began three years ago when he took the reins with a group of sophomores who are now the driving force behind the team’s success. These seniors have led the Lions to this historic milestone, embodying the perseverance and teamwork that have brought them this far.

Anderson took over the program three years ago, laying a foundation with a class of sophomores who are now seniors, leading the Lions to history.

“He taught us a lot of patience. Going through his plays, I felt like it bettered us as a team,” said Lions senior Ahmad Lee.

“We’ve been teammates for four years, so like, the bond is really deep. We should know everybody’s ups and downs and how everybody plays,” said Lions senior Larry Harris.

“They gelled immediately,” Anderson said. “That matters when you’re trying to win a city or a state championship.”

For a program that has not reached this stage in more than a century, Friday night’s game is about more than just basketball; it’s about leaving a legacy.

“It means a lot. I want to do something. I finally got that chance. I’m finally in those shoes, and I’ve got one thing to do,” Dickerson said.

“They want to go out with a bang,” Anderson said.