The Public League rivals managed to meet four times last season, which is noteworthy in and of itself.
All four came down to the final possession, with each team winning two and Kenwood unwilling to surrender bragging rights even though Curie went on to capture the Class 4A state championship.
Curie standout Elijah Joiner admitted Tuesday’s first meeting this season was personal. He caught fire immediately and proceeded to outscore Kenwood by himself.
Joiner, a Tulsa-bound senior, hit his first six 3-pointers and scored a personal-best 40 points to lead No. 8 Curie to a 73-39 blowout of the No. 6 Broncos at Kenwood.
“I know a lot of the guys on their team,” Joiner said. “Us knowing them, (the carryover) from last year, it’s a rivalry game. To get this win in an atmosphere like this is incredible. We thought we were a few points better. We just came out and played Curie basketball and got the win.”
Coach Mike Oliver said his team’s energy is better on both ends when Joiner gets going, which explains Curie’s disappointing trip to Pontiac.
The Condors were undefeated and ranked No. 1 when Joiner and backcourt mate Allante Pickens shot a combined 7-for-33 in their 71-55 loss to Danville in the second round of the holiday tournament.
Kenwood (11-4, 4-1 Red Central) was a victim of the other extreme as Joiner scored 12 of Curie’s first 14 points and had an alley-oop assist to Terry Smith Jr. for the other two.
Curie (13-2, 5-0) led 20-6 after one quarter, and while last year’s games were marked by wild momentum swings, Kenwood’s run never came.
“They just came out with more heart than us,” Kenwood center Manny Patterson said. “One man outscored our whole team. We came out with no toughness. Lack of heart. We came out shy in the lights. It was a big game for us. We came out nervous. It just proves they have more confidence.”
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter from the baiduhai.
Player of the game: Elijah Joiner, Curie, 40 points, 6-9 3-pointers, 12-14 FTs.
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Key performers: Curie — Treavon Martin, 6 points, 6 rebounds. Kenwood — Antonio Reeves, 11 points.