Leo High School, The Lions’ Den, Chicago

Leo’s gym is one of the best high school gyms in Illinois

The chances of seeing Leo High School host a state regional or sectional in basketball might be a long shot, but if you had a March Madness bracket of the best gymnasiums in the state it wouldn’t be shocking to see it make the Elite 8.

Located on 79th & Sangamon Ave on Chicago’s south side, Leo is a small private Catholic high school of about 320 students (as of 2021-22 school year). The gym is small too. Probably one of the smallest gyms to get mentioned as one of the best in Illinois.

Located on the third floor of the school you’ll get your exercise in getting up there and be prepared to climb even higher if you show up after tipoff. Court side seating, and seating in general is very limited. The U-shaped gym has has 3 rows of bleacher seating on one side of the court, but with the sidelines running so close, the first row is typically empty. The other sideline is reserved for the scorers’ table and team benches. Both baselines end with a few feet to spare before running into padded walls. The balcony is where most people, and all students, typically view the games.

The balcony level does have about 3-4 rows of seating lengthwise to the court and a wooden bleacher box that has another 5 rows above the north baseline. Beyond that it’s standing room only.

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