The situation called for caution, which isn’t really Morgan Park’s thing.
Nimari Burnett had already shot the Mustangs back into the game Friday night at Chicago State, and he delivered the backbreaker as well.
Burnett, a freshman, scored nine points in the fourth quarter on three timely 3-pointers, and No. 4 Morgan Park trailed for three quarters before storming back to beat No. 3 Curie 53-46 in the Public League semifinals.
Ayo Dosunmu scored 15 points and Romelo Burrell added 13 points and seven rebounds as the Mustangs (19-4) earned a rubber match with Simeon in the final.
The highly successful Red South rivals have never met in the title game.
“I am used to all the bright lights,” said Burnett, who will be featured in an upcoming Lifetime Network series “Bringing up Ballers.” “I’m used to the clutch moments. I’m used to it now. I’m here.”
Morgan Park’s outside shooting was nowhere to be found until Burnett came off the bench to save the day.
Curie (23-3) led 39-34 after three quarters. Burnett then hit consecutive 3s to give the Mustangs their first lead. Dosunmu followed with consecutive driving layups. Morgan Park was in position to nurse a 44-41 advantage with under two minutes remaining when Burnett let another one fly.
“The freshman came in and made big shots,” Morgan Park coach Nick Irvin said. “He told me that was disrespectful by leaving him open. He said he loves the moment. He said, ‘Coach I’m going to take the next one.’ I said, ‘Keep taking them, I don’t care.’
“Go for the dagger. That’s how I played, and that’s how we’re going to continue to play. If you’re wide open, take it.”
Beecher 79, Tri-Point 51: Jarod Stolzenbach and Austin Burgess had 18 points apiece as Beecher (20-8, 10-2 River Valley) posted its first 20-win season since 2007.
Benet 54, Joliet Catholic 48: Peter Ragen scored a game-best 27 points for JCA (12-13, 2-6 ESCC).
Homewood-Flossmoor 52, Sandburg 37: Jeffrey Boyd finished with 14 points for H-F (17-10, 5-4 SWSC Blue).
Illinois Lutheran 47, Donovan 21: Caleb Mathis had 13 points for Illinois Lutheran (10-10, 3-9 River Valley).
Lincoln-Way East 65, Bolingbrook 64: Sam Shafer poured in 30 points as East (18-10, 5-4 SWSC Blue) handed Bolingbrook its first loss of the season. Dorian Aluyi added 13 points to eclipse the 1,000 career plateau.
Lincoln-Way West 61, Andrew 56: Marco Pettinato contributed 30 points for West (7-17, 4-7 SWSC Red). Joey Krutilla had a game-high 37 points for Andrew (12-12, 4-6).
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Loyola 47, Brother Rice 41: Josh Niego contributed 14 points for fourth-place Rice (22-5) in the Catholic League Tournament.
Marian Catholic 74, Marian Central 36: Chase Adams, Josh Blair and TeeAaron Powell scored 10 points each to lead Marian Catholic (15-10, 6-2 ESCC).
Reavis 66, Richards 63: BranTrell Seymore’s 29 points sparked Reavis (12-13, 5-7 SSC Red).
Rich East 56, Rich South 54: Nathaniel Reese had 18 points for Rich East (10-12, 4-5 Southland).
St. Rita 74, De La Salle 62: Paul Kingsley and RaShaad Williams each scored 16 points for Rita (15-10) in the Catholic League consolation championship.
Shepard 63, Eisenhower 50: Tamer Ashkar contributed 18 points for Shepard (11-13, 3-9 SSC Red).
Stagg 48, Lockport 32: John Contant scored 19 points for Stagg (17-8, 5-4 SWSC Blue). Contant reached the 1,000-point mark for his career.
Thornwood 64, Thornridge 40: Malachai Palmer posted 15 points for Thornwood (15-9, 8-2 SWSC Red).
Girls basketball
Providence 46, Rich South 42: Claire Paciga scored 18 points for host Providence (20-11) in the Class 3A regional championship.
Queen of Peace 54, Goode 24: Ashley Lynch totaled 13 points and eight rebounds for Peace (28-3) in the 3A Solorio Regional final.
Girls bowling
State meet: Lockport (6,223) trailed only Harlem (6,293) after the first day of competition. The Porters were led by Bailey Delrose, who had a 289 game and 1,387 series to put her in second place, just 12 pins behind Buffalo Grove’s Jessica Soskich. Fifth-place Richards (5,770) also qualified for the team finals. Andrew’s Danielle Stefanski (1,352) was sixth to lead the local individuals advancing on an at-large basis.
Girls gymnastics
State meet: Lincoln-Way co-op (144.450) finished sixth, while Maddy Roe (37.575) of Sandburg/Stagg took seventh in the all-around finals.
Men’s volleyball
Lewis 25-25-25-25, Ball State 27-21-17-17: Ryan Coenen and Mitch Perinar registered 21 and 15 kills, respectively, for Lewis (10-3, 5-2 MIVA).
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown. Freelance writer Josh Krockey contributed.