Number one Young demolishes Indiana power
By Drake Skleba
Young (14-0), the top-ranked team in Premium Preps' Sweet 16, did itself and the Land of Lincoln proud at the 20th Annual McDonald's Girls Classic Saturday at Willowbrook. The Dolphins defeated Carmel (Ind.) 67-40.
Carmel (11-4) won the Class 4A Indiana State Championship in 2008. The Lady Greyhounds are currently ranked 14th in Class 4A in Hoosierland.
Young was led by juniors Bryeasha Blair and Kiana Johnson. Johnson scored 17 points and added seven rebounds, and Blair chipped in with 13 points. Freshman Linnae Harper contributed 14 points and eight rebounds for the victorious Lady Dolphins.
"It was great to beat an Indiana team," said Blair. "We had not defeated an Indiana team in awhile here. We had to win one for Chicago, Illinois. We all feed off of each other's energy and I felt it was my time to step up and help lead us to this victory."
The Lady Dolphins and the Lady Greyhounds battled for the first 16 minutes. Young held a 32-22 lead at the half. Johnson hit three treys in the first half to lead the Lady Dolphins with nine points.
"We started slow, but we really got going and played a great game," stated Johnson. "I felt I had to step up today because Carmel is a good team.
"I am the point-guard and I have to play like a leader and I think I achieved that in today's game. It is very nice to beat an Indiana team and I'm very excited about today's victory."
Carmel opened the second half with a three-point shot from sophomore guard Blaire Langlois (six points) to close to 32-25. Blair answered with a personal 7-0 run that gave the Dolphins a 39-25 advantage.
The Lady Dolphins put the game away away at the close of the third quarter. Sophomore Janee Thompson (five points) completed a coast-to-coast layup that was followed by the fourth of Johnson's five three-point bombs. That gave the
Lady Dolphins a 55-32 lead and put the game away. Young scored 25 points in the third quarter.
"We started a little slow, but then our defense began to take over," said Young head coach Corry Irvin. "Our offense began to feed off of our defense and we really started to roll. Bryeasha can really score and got us going early in the third quarter. We have been perfect through 13 games, but I'm going to have to knock on some wood so you don't jinx us."
Carmel was led by junior Torrie Thornton and freshman J.J. Williams. Each girl scored 10 points for the Lady Greyhounds.
