Mustangs win away from repeat crown
PEORIA — Defending Class 3A champion Morgan Park is loaded with Division I- bound players. Seniors Ayo Dosunmu, Cam Burrell and Kenyon Duling are among the best players in the state, and sophomore AdamMiller is one of the top players in his class in the country.
But for the second consecutive season in Peoria, it was unheralded guard Marcus Watson that might have been the key to victory. He’s the glue that helps mold all the stars into a team, not just a collection of talent.
‘‘ When we started the state playoffs, I said to let Marcus orchestrate,’’ Mustangs coach Nick Irvin said. ‘‘ He’s been doing a phenomenal job.’’
Watson finished with six assists and three steals in Morgan Park’s 68- 51 victory against Marian Catholic in the Class 3A semifinals Friday at Carver Arena.
Last season, Watson stepped in as a freshman and played 14 key minutes in the Mustangs’ titlegame victory against Fenwick. Dosunmu was injured and missed the game, but Watson contributed six points and four assists.
Watson’s six assists Friday were more than the Spartans had as a team ( five). He also handled the ball like a seasoned veteran, committing only two turnovers.
Marian Catholic’s young backcourt, meanwhile, struggled mightily with turnovers.
‘‘[ Morgan Park] just keeps pouncing on you,’’ Spartans coach Mike Taylor said. ‘‘ You have to be mentally tough enough to be strong with the ball, to want the ball. Those are lessons our young guards are going to take fromthis.’’
Burrell was the dominant force, shooting 10- for- 11 from the field and finishing with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Tamell Pearson, a 6- 9 senior who has missed most of the season with an eye injury, added eight points and five rebounds.
‘‘ Tamell is ready to rumble,’’ Irvin said. ‘‘ He is all heart, and that is what he played with. I’ve been saying all year that with him we would have been the best team in the state. We would have been undefeated with him.’’
Duling scored 14 points and Dosunmu, an Illinois recruit, 13.
‘‘ It is all about winning,’’ Dosunmu said. ‘‘ If someone has 30 points and they lose, no one remembers. It’s about winning, not stats or awards.’’
Ahron Ulis led Marian Catholic ( 25- 6) with 15 points. Chris White added 14 points and 10 rebounds and Malik Tidwell 13 points.
‘‘ We played hard,’’ Taylor said. ‘‘ Playing Morgan Park, you have to have five guys on the floor playing real well, or you can’t beat them. They have too many mismatches.’’
Morgan Park ( 24- 9) will try to repeat as Class 3A champs Saturday. The Mustangs will face Springfield Southeast in the title game at 12: 45 p. m.