Boys Basketball
Slowdown game
Young puts brakes on Dosunmu, Morgan Park en route to title
Morgan Park junior Ayo Dosunmu is human after all.
A suffocating Young defense proved that Friday in the Proviso West Holiday Classic championship game.
After averaging 24 points in Morgan Park's first three games of the tournament, Dosunmu was held to eight points as Whitney Young earned an 80-71 championship victory.
The loss denied Morgan Park (10-2) a title repeat.
Young (9-3) sent everything but the kitchen sink each time Dosunmu touched the ball. It's about the only way to contain the 6-foot-4 guard.
“I should have done more,” Dosunmu said. “They just double-teamed me and sent a man at me whenever I got the ball.”
Young guard Craig Beaudion was the primary defender on Dosunmu. But he had plenty of help.
It didn't help matters that Morgan Park guard Lamond Johnson was on crutches with an ankle injury. The absence of Johnson deprived the Mustangs of an additional ballhandler, leaving most of those duties to Dosunmu.
“Ayo wore down,” Morgan Park coach Nick Irvin said. “I'm not making excuses. He's played 32 minutes almost every game. They just kept running and doubling him. He's been on a heck of a roll.”
Dosunmu, who recorded eight assists, averaged 28 points in Morgan Park's first 11 games.
The Mustangs started slow and trailed 19-9 in the first quarter.
The Dolphins took advantage of the Mustangs' shooting woes to kick start their transition game.
Morgan Park, however, produced a spurt over the final 90 seconds of the opening quarter to close the gap to 25-22.
The trio of Cam Burrell, Lenell Henry and Nimari Burnett combined for 14 points off the bench to lead the comeback.
A basket by Burnett and dunk by Henry early in the second quarter had the Mustangs within 27-26.
The Dolphins, though, ended the half on a 12-5 spurt to grab a 39-31 advantage.
“We felt like we were in the game,” Dosunmu said. “We just didn't play very well. I'm going to get in the gym, look over some film and work on getting better.”
Morgan Park had no answer for Young forward Lucas Williamson, who finished with 27 points and nine rebounds to earn tournament MVP honors.
Melo Burrell, Cam Irvin and Cam Burrell each finished with 12 points for Morgan Park. Melo Burrell added 11 rebounds.
Though disappointed by the loss, Nick Irvin had a little message for Young.
“Oh, yeah, this loss hurts,” Irvin said. “Especially to a team we're 10 times better than. You don't win state championships in December. We'll see them again.”
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