Key play by York's Morrissey stops Schaumburg's comeback
Both York coach Vince Doran and Schaumburg coach Wade Heisler agreed — it was the play of the game.
Schaumburg had just cut the Dukes lead to 39-36 on a 3-point basket from Aaron Kline (11 points) with 2:16 left in the game.
York's Jack Morrissey stole the ball on an errant pass with 1:09 left in the game. He was fouled ten seconds later and connected on 2 free throws for a 41-36 lead.
That was enough to propel the host Dukes to a 45-38 win over the Saxons in the final game of the day at the 42nd annual Jack Tosh Tournament in Elmhurst.
“Jack's a two-year starter for us,” said Doran. “He leads our defense and gives us a lot of energy. The steal he got turned the game to our favor. He had 3 steals for us and they came at times when Schaumburg was threatening.”
Nicholas Kosich, who helped keep York (6-3) ahead with 9 of his 10 points in the first half, hit a free throw with :37 left for a 43-36 lead.
Kline scored the last basket for the Saxons (2-8) before Morrissey hit 2 more free throws with :21 left.
“They (Schaumburg) confused us with their defense,” said Morrissey. “They had been using a 2-3 zone and tonight they switched to a 1-3-1 and it made it tougher for us to penetrate. We protected the perimeter against their offense. We couldn't let them put up 3s.”
“Schaumburg had a great gameplan,” said Doran. “They surprised us with the 1-3-1 zone. I think it caught us by surprise. That kept us off balance. But we're happy with the win.”
The Saxons started well and led 13-9 after one quarter. Kameron Powell, who led the way for Schaumburg with 15 points, scored 6 in the initial frame.
York fought back in the second quarter to take the lead away.
With the Saxons leading 17-15 with 4:36 left in the first half, York went on a 9-0 run to take a 24-17 lead with 1:09 remaining before the break.
Jack Julian's basket at 3:10 broke a 17-all tie.
York pulled ahead 39-30 with 4:30 left in the game on another 9-0 run led by Jordan Gray's 5 points.
Schaumburg's Jason Schoo and Kline hit for the two 3s that narrowd the gap to 39-36.
“York did a good job of pressuring us in the fourth quarter, and it worked,” said Heisler. “That turnover hurt. We're beating ourselves with a combination of different things. We've been right there in most of our games. We've played a tough schedule. We need to win one of these to feel good about ourselves.”
York will take on Glenbard East at 8 p.m. Monday after the Rams edged St. Ignatius in overtime 56-55. The Saxons will take on the Wolfpack at 1:30 p.m. Monday.
Riverside-Brookfield 66, Rolling Meadows 47: The top-seeded Bulldogs rolled past the Mustangs (1-8) on Monday afternoon with a balanced scoring effort. Syler Nash scored 14 to lead R-B, while Jalen Clanton had 13, Ryan Cicenas 11 and Daniko Jackson 10.
The Bulldogs raced out to a 21-9 lead after one quarter. The two teams played even in the second quarter with R-B leading 31-19 at the break.
Rolling Meadows was outscored 26-11 in the third quarter to trail 57-30.
Mustangs forward Jared Murphy led Rolling Meadows with 22 points, and Matt Wojcik added 14 points.
The Bulldogs forced 27 Mustang turnovers.
Rolling Meadows play on Monday in the consolation bracket against the Rebels from Thornton Fractional South at 11:30 a.m.