Sophomore star shows up All-American senior
Words. Arie Stark
In a playoff showdown between two Chicago powerhouses, host Simeon defeated Morgan Park in a matchup that went down to the wire. Simeon’s star sophomore Jabari Parker came up huge down the stretch, grabbing a big rebound, completing a timely assist and nailing crucial free throws that sealed the 52-45 victory in the second round of the Public League playoffs.
Parker was also instrumental in holding Morgan Park senior star Wayne Blackshear, who is signed to Louisville and was recently named a McDonald’s All-American, to just two points in the second half.
“Jabari asked to guard Wayne as soon as we heard we would be playing Morgan Park,” Simeon coach Robert Smith told CSN Chicago. “He wanted the challenge.”
Parker finished the game with 14 points and seven rebounds. Blackshear finished with 13 points to go with 11 rebounds and four blocks.
“That’s just what he [Parker] does,” Smith said. “It doesn’t matter what class he is in. He’s the best player in the state of Illinois.”
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