Kenwood boys basketball coach Mohammed Cookbey and Leo basketball coach Jimalle Ridley are both serving four-game suspensions handed down by the Illinois High School Association.
According to the IHSA, Kenwood and Leo played a scrimmage on Nov. 2, which is before the official start date of the high school basketball season.
Both teams were also required to start practice one day later and the scrimmage will count towards their season game total. Both teams are now limited to 30 games.
“Leo follows the rules,” Ridley said in a statement provided to the Sun-Times. “I did not on this occasion. I was wrong. I take full responsibility for my actions. I had an error in judgment. My actions alone. I took the suspension, which was torture for me. We have good kids from even greater families. I’m proud to be their coach. Over time I hope to regain the trust of all of them and our school administration who has been firm but understanding. There will never be another rule broken from me or our basketball program, you can bet on that.”
Leo won all four games under interim coach Mario Pittman. The Lions knocked off Crane on the road and then beat Effingham, St. Anthony and Edwardsville.
Kenwood opened the season on Nov. 30 with a win at St. Francis de Sales. Cookbey, who took over the head job from Joseph Mason this season, will miss a game against Farragut on Tuesday, a game at Dyett on Friday and a high-profile showdown against Young at the Chicago Elite Classic on Saturday.
Cookbey and Chicago Public Schools did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Broncos were sanctioned by the IHSA multiple times under coach Mike Irvin. In March of 2024, five Kenwood players, Irvin and two assistant coaches were ruled ineligible for violating Illinois High School Association rules. CPS’ Office of the Inspector General revealed potential residency-rules violations for multiple Kenwood basketball players.
The CPS investigation showed that multiple players used falsified items, including utility bills, to meet Kenwood residency requirements, and that players and coaches provided inaccurate home addresses. Kenwood was allowed to play in the state tournament without the suspended players and eventually lost in the sectional semifinals.