As one of the state’s perennial boys basketball powers, Curie could go pretty much anywhere it wants for Christmas break.
But the Condors have been a fixture at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament for decades and don’t expect that to change.
Curie is the No. 2 seed in the 94th edition of the tourney, which bills itself as the nation’s oldest. The event begins Dec. 29 and could feature a title-game showdown on New Year’s Eve between the Condors and top-seeded DePaul Prep, which is a three-time defending state champ.
The Rams are up in Class 4A this year after winning the 2A championship in 2023 and earning 3A titles the past two seasons. So Curie and DePaul also could meet in March in the state playoffs.
Winning at Pontiac is “a big goal,” Curie senior guard Justin Oliver said after a 62-51 win over Thornton at Hillcrest’s Jingle Bell Jam on Dec. 20. “It’s not our biggest goal though. It’s just one step toward the big goal.”
Still, there’s something special about playing in front of capacity crowds at Pontiac.
“I love playing down there, man,” Oliver said. “It’s always fun. I love the people, they always show love. Just a fun tournament.”
Veteran Curie coach Mike Oliver feels the same way.
“Pontiac is like going to the state finals,” he said. “Pontiac is where you really test yourself and see how good a team you (have). But more or less, it prepares you for the playoffs.
“I’ve been going to Pontiac over 25 years. So you know, it’s just a home away from home.”
In the win over Thornton, Kendall Holliday led the Condors with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds. Justin Oliver had 16 points and seven assists, 6-8 senior Keith Collins scored eight points on 4-of-5 shooting and Mike Oliver Jr. added seven points.
Collins also was effective on defense off the bench.
“Yeah, that’s what we asked Keith, ‘Go out there, give us three, four good, hard minutes,'” Mike Oliver said. “‘Make a difference in the paint with your size.
“‘With the guards we’ve got, the energy Kendall brings around the basket, all you’ve got to do is be a presence in there, catch the ball and make layups.'”
Also helping out in the paint are 6-4 senior Joshua Hurley Jr. and 6-5 sophomore Amir Green.
“(On) defense, all we ask them to do is guard the basket,” Mike Oliver said. “We’ll put a lot of pressure on the other (teams’) guards. We don’t want them to just be able to drive the lane. I’m very pleased with what they’re doing.”