Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011
11:13 p.m.
By Michael O'Brien
YourSeason.com
Jabari Parker, Kendrick Nunn and Steve Taylor are Simeons bonafide high-major college talents. They are the players the college coaches show up to see.
But the backbone of the well-oiled machine is point guard Tywon Pinckney. He ran the show to perfection Saturday night against Young at Chicago State as the top-ranked Wolverines prevailed 60-39.
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Pinckney is a three-year starter, Simeon coach Robert Smith said. Hes the leader of the team. When you have someone that understands what the coach wants, it makes it a lot easier.
At times it seemed almost two easy for Simeon. The Wolverines held No. 19 Young to just three field goals in the first half.
Simeon led 23-15 at the half and opened the third quarter on a 12-0 run.
Young shot 9-for-34 in the game and seemed severely frustrated by the Wolverines' zone defense.
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We have a lot of length and are a real quick team, Smith said. We wanted to see if they could make some outside shots.
Taylor led the way for Simeon (19-0) with 14 points and nine rebounds and Darien Walker added 11 points. Nunn scored nine and grabbed four rebounds. Parker finished with just six points, but managed two spectacular dunks.
We know we have a target on our back every time we take the court, Smith said. Everyone wants to beat the best team. Our guys are aware of that and prepared for it every night.
Ohio State-bound forward Sam Thompson led Young (11-9) with 16 points and six rebounds. Kwai Pearson added eight and Tommy Hamilton Jr. scored six for the Dolphins. Simeon outrebounded Young 31-25.
Our strategy is defense and rebounding first and then everything follows, Smith said.
Point guard Derrick Randolph made his first appearance of the season for Young. He scored five points, but it may take the Dolphins a game or two to adjust to his presence on the floor.
Randolph does what he does, Smith said. He really pushes the ball down the court. Hed get down there in a hurry but the Young bigs wouldnt be there yet.
Simeons regular season is over. The Wolverines begin the city playoffs on Wednesday against Wells. Young will host Prosser.