CHICAGO — Today, Mayor Johnson will host the basketball teams for Hope Academy and Walter H. Dyett High School for the Arts in the mayor’s ceremonial office to celebrate their recent state championships. Mayor Johnson has also extended an invitation to DePaul College Prep who will visit the mayor's office following their spring break.  

 “Each team made history in their own way, and they all made Chicago proud,” said Mayor Johnson. 

“Hope Academy, representing the West Side of Chicago – also known as the best side– brought home the first state championship, in any sport, in that school’s history. In double overtime, DePaul Prep became one of only three teams in our state’s rich high school basketball history to three-peat,” Johnson continued. “And, of course, we could not be more proud of Dyett. It took a hunger strike in 2015 to save Dyett from being closed. Now, ten years later, they showed that same perseverance and grit that should make all Chicagoans proud. The Dyett Eagles showed why every sacrifice that was made to keep the school open was worth it because our team got to experience the joy of victory. Their victory is our joy.”  

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

Hope Academy won their game against Eastland 71 to 38. Dyett won their game against Althoff Catholic High School 52 to 41. DePaul Prep won against Brother Rice in double overtime 55 to 52.  

The DePaul Prep Rams won the Class 3A state title in 2024 and the 2A title in 2023. With their win against Brother Rice, DePaul Prep became only the third team in Illinois state high school basketball history to win three consecutive state titles.  

This was the Dyett Eagles first state tournament appearance. The Eagles are the only Public League team to win statewide in this year’s tournament.  

Dyett High School was one of the neighborhood schools slated to close under the Emmanuel administration. Community resistance, led by parents, teachers, students and community leaders, especially the Kenwood-Oakland Community Organization (KOCO), ultimately saved the school from closure after a 34-day hunger strike in which Mayor Johnson participated. Today, Dyett Arts is a Sustainable Community School, an innovative model championed by Mayor Johnson, where neighborhood schools serve as community pillars that provide support services for the school and surrounding area. 

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

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