In the battle of ‘South Side’ versus ‘West Side,’ the 2nd ranked Morgan Park Mustangs prevailed over the 3rd ranked Whitney Young Mighty Dolphins 61-59 at Chicago State University in the CPS game of the week.
Monday’s (November 25) game played between the two teams was not only a battle for city bragging rights, but a championship belt as well. The belt was sponsored by a shoe company, as many believed, and the most anticipated opening game in high school history.
The game featured University of Illinois commit and Morgan Park star Adam Miller taking on Duke bound and Whitney Young star D.J. Steward.
“Adam likes fashionable shoes,” said Nick Irving, head coach of the Morgan Park Mustangs about his star losing grip on the floor due to playing in his new shoes. “He is like his coach, but they were slipping. [So] I told him to go change his shoes.”
Irving noticed early in the game that his top scorer Miller was not himself, as he’d struggle to get traction on the floor. He would finish with only 9 points for the game.
Miller rival Steward had no problem with the floor, as he would explode for 14 of his team high 21 points in the first half.
And despite Steward not shooting from the field, Morgan Park led 29-28 at the half.
In the second half, the Mustangs would get a scoring boost from Wisconsin transfer star Brandon Weston.
Weston, in his Chicago Public League debut, finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds for the game. Weston led his team in scoring.
Although Weston led the Mustangs in scoring, it was a superb defensive play by Miller that made a huge difference in the game.
With 12.2 seconds remaining to play in the game and Whitney Young with the ball down two, Miller and Steward would collide in the air for the ball. Miller then tipped it to his teammate as time expired.
Following the huge play by Miller, the Mustangs stormed the floor with excitement while holding the championship belt in the air—celebrating both their city bragging rights privileges and a victory.
Final Score: Morgan Park 61, Whitney Young 59.
Chicago Crusader Newspaper Players of The Game:
Brandon Weston, Morgan Park, 19 points, 11 rebounds.
D.J. Steward, Whitney Young, 21 points.
Joseph Phillips is the Sports Editor for the Chicago Crusader Newspaper. He is a Chicago native, who has been a sports writer for over 17 years. He also hosts the SC Media News and Sports Network Q&A radio show on WHPK 88.5 FM Chicago. He can be reached at [email protected].
Joseph Phillips is the Sports Editor for the Chicago Crusader Newspaper. He is a Chicago native, who has been a sports writer for over 17 years. He also hosts the SC Media News and Sports Network Q&A radio show on WHPK 88.5 FM Chicago.
