By: Kyle Alexander
In the 2025 CHSL Championship, it’s a powerhouse rematch between DeMatha and Clinton Grace. The teams matched up in the regular season, as Clinton Grace won 56-49 en route to the number one seed. Now, DeMatha looks to get revenge in its fifth straight championship appearance.
The game got off to a hot start as DeMatha started to build a lead out of the gate, but Clinton Grace bounced back to make it a back-and-forth matchup. As DeMatha looked to gain an edge, Clinton Grace bounced back to keep the game tied up in the first half. Both teams are all gas in the first half as they’re trading shots left and right with seemingly no end in sight. Clinton Grace found momentum later as they started to build their lead right before halftime, shooting 57 percent from the field and 50 percent from three. Clinton Grace couldn’t miss on offense, while also playing tighter defense, forcing DeMatha to shoot 33 percent from the field. This last-minute effort was the key to Clinton Grace’s 39-31 halftime lead. CJ Lyons led Clinton Grace with 15 points in 16 minutes, missing only one shot, while Ashton Meeks led DeMatha with 14 points and 4 rebounds in 14 minutes.
CJ Lyons picked up where he left off, making his first two buckets of the second half to start. DeMatha started to find their groove on offense, but Clinton Grace remained in front 47-37 six minutes into the half. As DeMatha looked to cut into the lead and make the game closer, Clinton Grace found multiple ways to respond to stay out front. Clinton Grace kept their momentum up throughout the second half, with defensive discipline and strategic offense, jumping out to a 60-48 lead with six minutes remaining. DeMatha looked to be on the verge of a scoring run before Clinton Grace extended their lead to 13 late in the game. Clinton Grace came alive in the second half as they consistently hit their shots and played great defense to win the championship 78-60. CJ Lyons led Clinton Grace with 27 points on 11-13 shooting, while his brother J’lon Lyons recorded 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists, earning the Most Outstanding Player award. Ashton Meeks led DeMatha with 23 points and 7 rebounds while Jared Jeffers recorded 10 points and 7 rebounds on 4-6 shooting. Clinton Grace finished the Summer League as champions, going 12-0 to capture the perfect season.