Lincoln Park's statement season: 'We are ready to show the city that we're a basketball school'

Lincoln Park is known more for its small, intense second-floor gym than for its basketball success.

A couple of yards behind each basket is a wall. Along each length of the gym are a few rows of bleachers. Fans in the first row have their feet on the court. It can be a wonderful home-court advantage.

“It’s our home, and we’re very comfortable here,” senior Keyshawn Barfield said. “For us, playing here feels like sitting in your
La-Z-Boy and kicking up your feet.”

But the cramped confines may be even less hospitable than usual for opponents this season, as the Lions may be the best team in the Public League.

“We’re more known for academics,” senior Chayse Turner said. “But we’re ready to show the city that we’re a basketball school, too.”

Ranked No. 11 in the preseason Super 25, Lincoln Park returns nearly every significant player from last season. Besides Barfield, a 6-9 center/forward, and Turner, a 6-4 senior guard, there are junior guards Ahmad Lee, Larry Harris and Jaylen Dickerson, all of whom immediately made an impact on varsity last year.

Lindblom transfer Kaydin Williams, 6-4 Jalill Amous and freshman Alvin Robinson are key new additions.

“[Williams] can shoot it, handle it, rebound,” coach Josh Anderson said. “He can be our best defender when he wants to be. He will make a huge impact on the city this year.”

Robinson is already highly regarded as a prospect.

“His ceiling is so high,” Anderson said. “He can pretty much do everything for a 14-year-old freshman. We think he’ll be 6-7 or 6-8.”

Turner, a high-flying athlete who can score, was one of last season’s major surprises for the Lions and may be the most under-recruited player in the Public League.

Lee, meanwhile, has turned the heads of college coaches already and recently took a visit to SIU.

Last season was the first as a head coach for Anderson, a Simeon alum and the son of former NBA player Nick Anderson.

“I had to learn [Anderson] last year,” Lee said. “I didn’t know how to work with him and what he wanted. Now I’m a lot more comfortable.”

The Lions finished 21-10 last season. They beat Young and Lindblom and lost to Warren in the Proviso West Holiday Tournament title game. But they have never played in a city championship game or achieved any notable success in the state playoffs — although they came close at times over the years under past coaches Cyrus McGinnis, Tom Livatino and Pat Gordon.

“This is a great opportunity for us,” Anderson said. “We have everyone returning, leadership and experience. The guys know me now and my system. This is the year for us. This is the year to get Lincoln Park out of that second tier.”

Anderson is impressed with the work his players put in physically over the offseason but believes their mental growth is the key to taking things to another level.

“They have matured,” he said. “More off the court than on the court, just being able to communicate and speak up for themselves. They are doing better in the classroom and have become better teammates. It’s been impressive to watch them grow into young men.

“That off-the-court stuff leads to success on the court. The environment at Lincoln Park shapes you into being more outgoing, which is a good thing.”