A much anticipated basketball season got under way at Leo on December 2 when the Lions face Seton Academy in a Catholic League tripleheader. The freshmen played at 4 p.m., followed by the sophomores at 5:30 and the varsity at 7.
The Lions return four starters from last season’s team that went 15-12 overall and reached the IHSA Class A sectional finals before
losing to Hales. All-Catholic League performers Darius Branch and Darias Oliver are the Lions’ leaders, with fellow juniors Kewan Smith and Chris Winters in prominent roles as well.
It’s a busy opening week for Leo. The Lions visit St. Francis de Sales for another Catholic League game on Dec. 5 (7 p.m.), then play
host to Calumet Perspectives on Dec. 6 (7 p.m.) before traveling to Collins High School on Dec. 7 for a 4 p.m. game against Von Steuben in the Hall of Fame Shootout.
On Friday, Dec. 19, the Lions will face Brother Rice at the Shannon Center on the St. Xavier University campus at 103rd and Central Park. It’s a home game for Leo, but it has been moved to the college facility to accommodate a crowd that figures to be too big for Leo’s gym.
Tickets ($5) are available at both schools. The Jesse White Tumblers will perform at halftime.