Lots going on with Morgan Pk.
Morgan Park senior Ayo Dosunmu knew Illinois fans fromall over the southern part of the state had traveled to Highland to see him play Saturday. Despite an injured left ankle, he didn’t want to let them down.
‘‘ He begged me to play,’’ Mustangs coach Nick Irvin said. ‘‘ I told him he shouldn’t, that he was only 50 percent, but he wanted to. That’s just how Ayo is. I told him not to do anything crazy. He played about a quarter.’’
Morgan Park lost to St. Louis Chaminade 107- 94.
According to the St. Louis PostDispatch, some Morgan Park and Chaminade parents got into a verbal confrontation during the game, and ‘‘ the argument was so intense several police officers were brought to the bleachers to quell things.’’
Dosunmu was assessed a technical foul for shoving a Chaminade player. Irvin and a Chaminade player also picked up technicals.
TheMustangs are only 10- 6 this season. Big man Tamell Pearson has missed most of the season with an eye injury, and Dosunmu has missed most of the last five games.
‘‘ I do have some frustration with theway things are right now, sure,’’ Irvin said. ‘‘ I’m used to being 16- 0 right now. It’s just something I have to deal with and handle better. But the players have been good. They have stayed positive.’’
Sophomores Adam Miller and Marcus Watson have stepped up and played well, and senior Cam Burrell has been tremendous.
‘‘[ Burrell] finally turned the corner,’’ Irvin said. ‘‘ A lot of people can’t match his intensity. I always thought he could be this type of guy, and now he’s showing it.’’
Irvin said no team in the state will be able to handle his group when everyone is back healthy. He’s willing to guarantee another Class 3A title.
‘‘ Quote me on that,’’ Irvin said. ‘‘ I’m going to hold the trophy up at the end of the year.’’
He also said Dosunmu might be out for another week.
‘‘ We are going to take it slowly,’’ Irvin said. ‘‘ I shouldn’t have played him [ Saturday], but that is just the kind of guy he is. It meant a lot to him to get on the court for those fans.’’
Dosunmu, an Illinois recruit, has an excellent chance to be a McDonald’s All- American. He would be the first from the Chicago area since Jalen Brunson in 2015. The official announcement will come Jan. 18, but word might filter out before then.
‘‘ The whole state needs that to happen,’’ Irvin said. ‘‘ We’ve been down for too long. Everyone needs to get behind Ayo.’’
Theweek ahead
St. Viator at Loyola, Monday: The Lions are talented but inconsistent. The Ramblers won a holiday tournament in Florida and might join the Super 25 with a victory.
Niles North at New Trier, Tuesday: Several readers don’t think the undefeated Vikings have played a schedule worthy of a topfive team. This will be a muchneeded test.
Lincoln Park at North Lawndale, Wednesday: Can Lincoln Park’s roll continue? Terrance Shannon and Chris Roberts will turn even more heads if the Lions can win this game on the West Side.
Marist at Marian Catholic, Thursday: Both teams were supposed to suffer when their star guards transferred. Instead, both are ranked heading into this conference showdown.
Young at Orr, Friday: The Spartans beat the Dolphins handily in the Proviso West title game during the holidays. It might be tough for Orr to muster the intensity to do it again.
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