Chicago City Wire

Today in Chicago, Mayor Johnson will host a celebration for the basketball teams of Hope Academy and Walter H. Dyett High School for the Arts at City Hall to honor their recent state championship victories. DePaul College Prep has also been invited and will visit after their spring break.

"Each team made history in their own way, and they all made Chicago proud," stated Mayor Johnson.

Mayor Johnson highlighted Hope Academy's achievement as it secured its first-ever state championship, representing the West Side of Chicago. He also noted DePaul Prep's historic win in double overtime, making them one of only three teams in Illinois high school basketball history to achieve a three-peat. The mayor expressed pride in Dyett's perseverance and grit, reflecting on the community efforts that saved the school from closure ten years ago.

From 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., Mayor Johnson will welcome players and coaching staff from Hope Academy and Dyett Arts.

Hope Academy triumphed over Eastland with a score of 71 to 38, while Dyett defeated Althoff Catholic High School 52 to 41. DePaul Prep won against Brother Rice in double overtime with a score of 55 to 52.

The DePaul Prep Rams have previously won the Class 3A state title in 2024 and the Class 2A title in 2023. Their recent victory makes them only the third team in Illinois state high school basketball history to win three consecutive state titles.

This year marked Dyett Eagles' first appearance at the state tournament, where they were the only Public League team to secure a statewide victory.

Dyett High School was once threatened with closure under former Mayor Emmanuel's administration but was saved by community resistance led by parents, teachers, students, and community leaders like KOCO. A significant factor was a hunger strike lasting 34 days, which included participation from Mayor Johnson himself. Today, Dyett Arts operates as a Sustainable Community School model championed by Mayor Johnson.

Last week during City Council proceedings, Mayor Johnson recognized Kenwood girl's basketball team for winning the state's Class 4A championship and presented them with a proclamation.