Curie Knocked Out Of State Playoffs In Shocking Defeat

CHICAGO (CBS) -- It's the end of the road for Curie High School basketball players dreaming of a 2014 state championship after being stripped of their city title.

The Curie High School Condors tried to set controversy aside Tuesday night in their state tournament game against DuSable, but lost 88-85 in overtime.

"Given what they're going through I think they started off pretty slow. They might have been a little nervous, adjusting to having a new starting five," said Anthony Hunt, a former Curie basketball player.

Positions were a bit scrambled after a Chicago Public Schools investigation found seven team members ineligible to compete. Their grades failed to meet the minimum CPS standard, a 2.0 average.

It led to the suspension of Coach Mike Oliver and his team was stripped of two dozen wins.

Former team members in the stands couldn't believe it when it happened.

"I was shocked. I played for coach Mike and I know how strong he is on making sure players get good grades and everything like that," said Finch.

But CPS allowed Oliver back on the court Tuesday after the Illinois High School Association cleared four of the seven players, saying they do meet state standards.