No. 1 Young outlasts No. 2 Simeon
By Drake Skleba
The ultimate early season showdown took place at a packed Young gymnasium as top-ranked Young outlasted No. 2 Simeon 62-55 Saturday night.
Young was led by its 6-foot-7 juniorjumping jack Sam Thompson. He scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Dolphins. Thompson added four blocked shots for good measure.
"This was a great team win for us," said Thompson. "We controlled the tempo of this game and did a good job of running our offense. I came out tonight with a lot of energy, scoring, rebounding, whatever it took to get this big win."
Young (5-0) received solid performances from senior guards Anthony Johnson and Ahmad Starks. Each contributed 13 points and hauled in four rebounds toward the Dolphin cause.
Simeon (4-1) was led by 6-foot-3 senior F Brandon Spearman, who scored 14 points and hauled in nine boards.
The Wolverines came out on fire and jumped out to a 9-3 lead in the first quarter. Young rallied to take a 12-11 lead to close out the first quarter on a slam dunk by Thompson.
Thompson scored nine points in the second quarter. As in the first quarter, the Dolphins closed out the half strong. With the score deadlocked at 24, Thompson hit two free throws to give Young a 26-24 lead with 3.8 seconds left in the half.
The junior then stole Simeon's lob to half court and buried a 45-foot bank shot to give Young a 29-24 lead.
Simeon closed out the third quarter strong led by 6-foot-6 F Rashawn McElrath. The junior (eight points, 11 rebounds) hit a jumper to bring the Wolverines within 42-39 entering the fourth quarter.
With 7:11 left, Spearman hit a trey that brought the Wolverines within 44-42, but that was the closest the Simeon youngsters could get.
Young's Johnson was a clutch performer as usual in the fourth quarter. Johnson was a perfect six-for-six at the all-important charity stripe to help wrap up the Dolphin win.
"We have great respect for Simeon,"said Johnson. "They are a great program with multiple state titles. We were really looking ahead to them. To pick up this win in a state championship type atmosphere was special."
Said backcourt mate Starks: "Big win for us! We pick up a trophy for the win over Simeon.I'm really happy. I do whatever I have to do to help us win. I had a good night."
Young sophomore G Derrick Randolph scored his only basket of the game at the 1:51 mark. It was a big one that gave the Dolphins a 58-51 lead. Randolph added a pair of free throws with 14 seconds left.
Simeon freshman C Jabari Parker scored nine points and had five rebounds. Young's 6-foot-9 freshman C Thomas Hamilton had six points with nine boards.
"Whitney Young's seniors made the plays down the stretch for them to win this great battle," said Simeon head coach Robert Smith. "We are very young and need some people to step up for us. Our senior Brandon Spearman had a great game."
