Dominant DaChaun Anderson guides Leo past Fenwick

The three flashiest moments of Leo’s 75-56 win against visiting Fenwick on Saturday were all missed dunks.

Lions senior DaChaun Anderson missed a pair and Fenwick sophomore Bryce Hopkins rocked the tiny gym with his missed slam that ricocheted all the way over to the side basket.

Anderson eventually threw down a few successful slams, which has likely happened in every Leo game this season. Fred Cleveland Jr. is the Lions’ established superstar but Anderson, a strong and athletic 6-7 forward, is one of the area’s most dominant players. He finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds.

Cleveland had 21 points and Kendale Anderson added 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Myles Thomas, a 6-1 senior, was the star defender for the Lions. He was tasked with guarding Hopkins, who scored 34 against Leo on Dec. 29.

That was actually the Lions’ last game, a 78-72 victory against the Friars to win third place in the Proviso West Holiday Tournament.

“Practice this week was about stopping Bryce,” Cleveland Jr. said. “That was the first player we played this year that [scored] that many points [on us]. The first [game] he had like 20 points in the first quarter.”

Leo’s DaChaun Anderson (23) gets fouled going to the basket against Fenwick, Saturday 01-05-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Leo’s Myles Thomas (10) stops at the top of the key against Fenwick, Saturday 01-05-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Leo’s Fred Cleveland Jr. Saturday 01-05-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Leo’s Kendale Anderson (35) passes the ball, Saturday 01-05-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Leo’s Fred Cleveland Jr. dribbles the ball down the sideline, Saturday 01-05-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Leo’s DaChaun Anderson (23) drives to the basket, Saturday 01-05-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Fenwick’s Bryce Hopkins goes up for two against Leo, Saturday 01-05-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times. | Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times

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Fenwick’s Trey Pettigrew (4) gets fouled by Leo’s Dorian Woods (24), Saturday 01-05-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Fenwick’s Trey Pettigrew (4) gets fouled driving to the basket, Saturday 01-05-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Fenwick’s Trey Pettigrew (4) passes the ball against Leo, Saturday 01-05-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Leo’s DaChaun Anderson (23) grabs a rebound against Fenwick, Saturday 01-05-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Fenwick’s Bryce Hopkins (23) pulls up for a jump shot, Saturday 01-05-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Fenwick’s Bryce Hopkins (23) attempts a dunk in the first half against Leo, Saturday 01-05-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Fenwick’s Bryce Hopkins (23) dribbles toward the basket against Leo, Saturday 01-05-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Hopkins had 18 points, seven in the first half. He’s one of the state’s most highly-regarded prospects.

“Thirty-four points,” Leo coach Jamal Thompson said. “He’s not going to come in here and do that. Myles took on the task today to lock him up. He didn’t lock him up, but he did a good job to make him work for every single thing he got.”

The first quarter was close but the Lions took control in the second and led by 13 at halftime.

“A lot of people aren’t used to playing in little gyms so we use that to our advantage,” Cleveland Jr. said. “We practice here every day so we know the in’s and out’s of the gym and we use that against every opponent we play.”

Senior Solomon Oraegbu had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Friars (8-7, 2-4 Catholic League) and junior Ryan Planek added six points and six boards.

Leo lost an overtime heartbreaker at DePaul Prep last month and fell to Bogan in the Proviso West semifinals.

“We have seen the film of both of those games and seen that most of the plays we beat ourselves and we can’t just always blame the referees,” Cleveland Jr. said. “We just have to keep working hard on our goal of winning state and the Catholic League.”

It’s very impressive how well the Lions (13-3, 5-1) have played this season considering the early season controversy and coaching change. Thompson took over for Shawn Frison in late November. Fred Cleveland Sr., an assistant coach, claimed that Frison punched him after a game in Washington, IL.

Thompson has clearly righted the ship.

“This is a special, senior-led group,”Thompson said. “My first day I just told them I was in their shoes one day. I grew up right here on 79th and Damen. So I know what it is all about to be a Leo man. My whole goal was to make the kids feel comfortable.”