The third game was like three games in one, maybe more, with the same wild momentum swings that characterized the first two.
It’s fair at this point to surmise that No. 4 Curie and No. 5 Kenwood are evenly matched, different but equal, except for one not-so-minor detail.
Kenwood is now a win away from the city championship.
After center Manny Patterson went down with a shoulder injury early in the fourth quarter, Nick Robinson took control, scoring seven of his 12 points and making the decisive free throw with 5.2 seconds left as Kenwood outlasted Curie 52-51 in a wild Public League semifinal Friday at Quest Multisport.
Kenwood (19-3) will play No. 1 Morgan Park or No. 3 Simeon for the city title at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Chicago State. It is the Broncos’ first appearance in the city championship.
“This is big for us, for the school, for our team, our organization because we’ve never been far,” Robinson said. “It is really important. You want to be able to come back and show your kids that you’re a part of history.”
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Establishing the 6-foot-8 Patterson early got Kenwood off to a 15-4 lead that Curie’s full-court pressure made disappear before halftime.
Curie (20-5) was ahead by one early in the fourth when Patterson, who missed most of last season after having surgery on his other shoulder, left the game for good.
Patterson may be able to play Sunday, Kenwood coach Marlo Finner said, but without him Robinson took matters into his own hands.
His 3-pointer ignited an 8-1 run that gave Kenwood a 47-41 lead, and there was no question where the ball was going with the game tied 51-51 and Kenwood holding for the final shot.
Robinson drove the baseline and got to the free-throw line on a call that could have gone either way. He split the two free throws, and Kenwood managed to pry the ball away from Devin Gage without Curie attempting a final shot.
“We had a play to run but Devin was sticking great defense,” Robinson said. “I tried to get to the basket as quick as possible. When I got there I saw he tried to take a charge and I avoided it and they called a block.
“Great call. Amazing call. Best call all night.”
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the baiduhai.
Player of the game: Nick Robinson, Kenwood, 12 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks.
Key performers: Curie — Devin Gage, 14 points; Allante Pickens, 6 points, 4 assists. Kenwood — Miles Curry, 13 points; Manny Patterson, 12 points.