Center J. J. Henley is the key to Lincoln Park season. He’s muscular, agile, and 6-7. When Henley is playing well, the Lions have the talent to play with any team in the state.

Henley didn’t play well in Lincoln Park’s win over Arlington, Ind. Saturday night in Indianapolis. Luckily for the Lions, he was a new man Sunday at the Public Shootout at Chicago State, finishing with 14 points and six rebounds in Lincoln Park’s 69-50 win over Leo.

The game was tied at 17 after the first quarter, but Lincoln Park (4-2) blew things open with a 17-3 run to start the second quarter.

Northwestern recruit Michael “Juice��? Thompson, Lincoln Park’s point guard, is the Lions consistent force. He was on the top of his game Sunday, using his speed and court vision to blow past Leo for 24 points.

With two big victories in less than 24 hours, Lincoln Park showed it may have found the consistency it lacked last season.

Lincoln Park guard Jeremy Montgomery, who played two basketball games and took the ACT test this weekend, finished with 13 points, three steals and six rebounds.

Stan Simpson, a 6-9 center, led Leo (5-2) with 18 points and six rebounds. Tony Topps scored 13 and Kevin Woods added 10 points and six rebounds.