York sets school record for wins
York's boys basketball team defended its home court with authority...again.
The Dukes beat Downers Grove South for the second time in Elmhurst, this time in Tuesday's 62-47 West Suburban Conference crossover game between the second-place team in the Silver and the co-champion of the Gold.
It was quite a departure from the New Year's Eve matchup in the title game of the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic when York edged the Mustangs 55-52. On Tuesday the Dukes (27-4) broke out to a 16-point first-half lead and led by as many as 20 points.
"We dialed in as a team and started making our shots, and just started playing really well as a team," said York senior forward Sam Walsh, who scored 8 of his 17 points in the first quarter. "We've definitely progressed throughout the whole season. When we play well together, we're pretty tough to beat."
Defending its home court becomes critical next week when York plays host to a regional in the Class 4A Proviso West sectional. The Dukes are 14-1 in Campbell Gymnasium but that one loss came to Oak Park-River Forest - the team York might play for a third time in next week's regional final.
"We feel great going into next week," said York coach Vince Doran, whose team set the program record for wins in a season. "Whatever road you're given, that's what it is. We know it's tough, but it's great to host. We've been good here this year."
Downers South (22-7) struggled against York's ball press defense, and it didn't get any easier when Wes Hooker was lost for the bulk of the game after suffering a first-quarter eye injury. The Mustangs pulled within 48-38 early in the fourth quarter on a Justin Eagins 3-pointer, but York answered with a decisive 12-2 run.
Erik Cohn scored 11 of his 19 points in the first half for York. Kamonte Brown-Poe led Downers South with 14 points while Eagins added 11 points.
"Give them all the credit in the world," said Downers South coach Kris Olson. "If you don't start out well in a game like this, you get deflated. They did a great job answering all our runs."
Twitter: @kevin_schmit