Blackshear's 34 not enough for MPHS

by Scott Fredericks

Wayne Blackshear scored early, and he scored often.

But when the Morgan Park High School (MPHS) boys basketball team needed baskets down the stretch, the Mustangs struggled to get their talented junior workhorse the ball.

Blackshear touched the ball just once in the final three possessions of the Mustangs’ 59-55 setback to Bogan in the Oak Lawn Class 4A regional championship game on March. 5.

Blackshear led all scorers with 34 points and added nine rebounds, four blocks and three steals.

“We just didn’t get the ball to ‘The Show’ at the end of the game. Wayne is our leader and our main man, and we have to find him. He could have had 60 tonight if we got him the ball,” said MPHS Coach Nick Irvin. “It was 55-all, and we had three possessions where we didn’t get into our sets and got nothing out of it. We just didn’t execute.”

Blackshear’s lone touch in the waning minutes was a contested three-pointer that was rebounded by Bengals sophomore guard Ronnell Buckner with five seconds remaining. Buckner’s free throws provided the final score.

Blackshear single handedly kept the Mustangs (21-6) in the ballgame in the opening half. He scored the first 13 points for MPHS and finished with 22 of the opening 32 for the Mustangs. He drained four threes and had several putbacks among the 22.

“Wayne showed why he is one of the best players in the country tonight,” said Irvin. “He leaves everything out on the floor. Whatever he has to do, he’s going to do it. That’s what I love about Wayne.”

The only other MPHS basket in the first quarter was a half-court heave at the buzzer by senior guard LeRon Smith.

Later, Blackshear drained a three with 12 seconds left in the second quarter to send the teams into the locker room deadlocked at 32.

The Mustangs trailed 50- 45 at the start of the fourth quarter but used a 7-0 run that culminated with a layup by senior forward Theo Bailey off a sweet pass inside by freshman guard Markee Williams with 4:15 left to grab the advantage.

But the lead was shortlived.

Bogan forward Brady Buford knotted the score with a free-throw-line jumper on the ensuing possession.

Moments later, Buford’s steal and lay-in with 1:15 remaining gave the Bengals a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Mustangs senior guard Andre Hall had a three from the corner rim out with 41 seconds remaining that would have given MPHS the lead.

“This is a valuable lesson for the youngsters coming back,” said Irvin. “I’m happy with what we have coming back next year, and now the kids know how to handle these situations.”

This is part of the March 10, 2010 online edition of The Beverly Review.

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