While No. 1 Simeon might stand in the way of Proviso East being called the best team in the state, what is not up for debate is the No. 2 Pirates’ superiority to every team they have faced this winter.

Less than 24 hours after clinching the West Suburban Gold with a victory over No. 11 Downers Grove South, Proviso East fought off a strong second half by No. 4 Warren to record a 73-66 victory Saturday night in the marquee game of the City-Suburban Showdown at Proviso West in Hillside.

Keith Carter and Paris Burns scored 17 points apiece as Proviso East (24-0) handed the 2011 Class 4A state runner-up its first loss of 2012.

“I told the guys at halftime against Downers Grove that these are the games you really find out what kind of character you have and what kind of team you’ve got,” Proviso East coach Donnie Boyce said. “These are the kind of games you want to be in this time of year.”

Read more at the Chicago Tribune.