Cachet Johnson wasn’t able to send Morgan Park to the Public League championship in regulation, but the 5-foot-7 guard made sure to punch the Mustangs’ ticket in overtime.
Johnson, who missed a pair of free throws with 2.9 seconds left in the fourth, scored six of her team-high 18 points in overtime as Morgan Park defeated Marshall 58-57 in a wild Public League semifinal at the University of Chicago.
“Since I missed the free throws, I had to come back even harder and make up for it,” Johnson said. “I’m not going to take an ‘L’ this year. I had to get my mind right.”
Morgan Park pushes forward to meet the winner of the Young-Bogan game for the Public League championship 7 p.m. Saturday at the University of Chicago.
Johnson and Destiny Harden were two reasons the Mustangs (20-7) are moving on — especially after a turnover-laden first half. Harden scored 17 points, 11 of which came during a stellar third quarter that gave Morgan Park a 31-30 lead after trailing by six at halftime.
“I was down on myself,” Harden said. “Come the second half, I had to get myself together and help the team. It’s internal for me. I got my head into the game.”
Harden was held scoreless until scoring seven points in a two-minute span to open the third quarter.
Tineesha Coleman led Marshall (21-6) with 18 points. Temya Russell scored 13, Tekia Mack had 12 and Arkiarra Clark eight for the Commandos.
Marshall led 16-10 after the first quarter and by as much as 10 in the second due to its defensive pressure and some relentless work on the glass.
Then the pace picked up in the second half and led to an electric finish. There were six lead changes and a tie in the final 2:32 of regulation, and Clark helped Marshall reach overtime with a pair of 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter.
Despite all the drama, Morgan Park coach Kedonica Taylor said she wasn’t worried after a slow start.
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“We’re more of a second-half team. I knew they’d pick it up,” Taylor said. “Rebounding was key because Marshall is very athletic and attacks the boards hard.”
Tammy Russell added 11 points and eight rebounds for Morgan Park. Tyana Porter scored 10.