Fab Five: 3A Championship Morgan Park vs Fenwick
Final (OT): Morgan Park 69 – Fenwick 67
In the Class 3A Championship the Morgan Park Mustangs squared off against the Fenwick Friars. Morgan Park was without star guard Ayo Dosunmu who suffered an ankle injury in the semifinal game. Morgan Park would lean on solid full court pressure on defensive early to help jump start their offense without Dosunmu. While Fenwick got going offensively from Freshman D.J. Steward who would lead all scorers with 9 points as Fenwick took a 27-25 lead at halftime.
In the final half of basketball, a couple of freshman for both squads would put their teams on their backs. Nimari Burnett would hit some big-time threes’ down the stretch while D.J. Steward would use his ultra-smooth shot to knock down some buckets from all three levels in this instant classic game, that came down to Overtime where Nimari Burnett and Morgan Park would win 69-67 to claim the 3A Championship. Here are the Fab 5 performances: Morgan Park vs Fenwick
MVP:
G- Nimari Burnett- Morgan Park (2020)
Nimari Burnett is not shy to the bright lights and the Freshman stepped up big coming off the bench for Morgan Park. Burnett is a rangy guard that has a quick release from deep. Burnett sparked Morgan Park in the 1st half instantly nailing a three, and a dribble drive mid-range pull up. In the second half with MP trailing he started the half off with 5 straight points to give MP the lead. He would continue his hot shooting nailing a class 3A record 6 three pointers. Including two big ones in overtime to seal the victory for Morgan Park. Burnett finished 9-15 from the field including 6-10 from deep.
Offensive Performance:
G- D.J. Steward- Fenwick (2020)
The silky-smooth freshman also put on a show and wasn’t afraid of the stage of a Championship game. The Freshman D.J. Steward was perfect from the field going 10-10 from the field and 8-8 from the line to lead all scorers with 26 points. Steward can score from all three levels, and can play on or off the ball. He is a plus shooter who has good fundamentals on his shot, makes good decisions. He had a stellar freshman season for Fenwick and is prospect that if he continues to develop has a high ceiling.
Defensive Performance:
F-Melo Burrell- Morgan Park (2017)
Senior Melo Burrell was a force on the block grabbing a game high 10 rebounds. He impacted the game using his length to block or alter shots and keep Fenwick from getting to the rim. Burrell is athletic and gets in good position on his box outs to grab rebounds. He also finished with 9 points.
Under-Radar-Performance:
G- Marcus Watson-Morgan Park (2020)
Another freshman stepped up big for Morgan Park in Marcus Watson, he didn’t show up as much as Nimari Burnett on the stat sheet but he had some clutch plays down the stretch. He was able to handle the ball with Dosunmu out, and made 4-5 FT’s dished out 4 assist and had 3 rebounds. Showed poise in overtime to help Morgan Park.
Top Shooter:
G-A.J. Nixon – Fenwick (2017)
The senior guard A.J. Nixon shot the ball well for Fenwick and helped keep them in the game in Overtime when he traded three pointers twice with MP’s Burnett. He finished 4-9 from deep and 5-12 from the field. Nixon also had 7 rebounds.