Top Teams in Illinois- Morgan Park

Our series continues with a team that came onto the scene as a major threat to win state last year when one of the state’s top talents in SG Wayne Blackshear led a talented group on underclassmen deep into the playoffs. Now the torch is being passed like Vito Corleone did to Michael. There are not one or two amazing talents in this group like I’ve talked about in the past with each team. On this team, the collective group together is one of the best. Led by several juniors, the underclassmen will have to carry just as much leadership to make yet another deep run in the state playoffs. We travel a little further south, but not too much, to see some of Chicagoland’s underrated team…….

Morgan Park High School- When a team does so well in large part because of the performance of one player, that team tends to have a major drop off the following year that player departs-- see LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavilers. This year’s team does not seem to have the same firepower as last years, but some under-the-radar-type players are due for a big season. The biggest question will be on the incoming juniors handle the pressure as focal points of the offense, and that’s a big if, but even if two of the three main juniors can hold their own, as expected, then the Mustangs will keep on rolling. This will be a very young team that will most likely feature 3 juniors and 2 sophomores in the starting lineup. With no major contributing senior on the team, the juniors will have to be the de facto leaders. Fortunately, one of, if not the most important position on the court happens to be the Mustangs’ best player.

Meet future DePaul Blue Demon, Jr. PG Billy Garrett, Jr (6-2, 165 lbs, left). The son of a coach, Garrett, Jr’s knowledge of the game is beyond his years. While opponents teamed up on Blackshear last year, Garrett, Jr. made defenses pay for his explosiveness to the rim and his elite distributing ability. When Billy wasn’t making defenses look sillier than Shaq dressed as a Miami Police Officer, Garrett, Jr. was typically guarding the opposing team’s best player. This level of defense at the point guard position is almost as coveted as passing the ball. With his ideal height, Garrett, Jr. could guard and play both positions. Playing Robin to Garrett, Jr.’s Batman, the Champ Kind to Garrett, Jr.’s Ron Burgundy is yet another junior, PG/SG Markee Williams (5-9, 160 lbs, looked at by UIC, Loyola, and SIU). Despite being 3 inches (and that might be a generous estimate) smaller than Garrett, Jr., Williams plays off the ball and is a great compliment to Billy. As a left hander, Williams has great quickness and swift feet on both offense and defense. Combined with Garrett, Jr., the two might form the best 1-2 defensive combo in the state. If watching the NBA this year has taught us anything, beside Chris Bosh looking funnier with his spider dreadlock he had in Toronto compared to his weirdly shaped bald head in Miami, defense wins game. What this represents for Morgan Park is that they will not be taken out of games because of the opposition’s offense.

Good guards are like a good fastball pitcher- effective and helpful to beat the opponent but nothing without another option. Enter Jr. C Xzavier Taylor (6-8, 210 lbs, looked at by NIU, Northwestern, Florida State, Oklahoma, left). As a sophomore, Taylor showed at times slow feet and about as good as a motor as 1960’s Volkswagens Beetle on the Audubon. However, on the AAU circuit, Taylor has gained some quickness and has been more effective on both the offensive and defense boards. Taylor will be important for the Mustangs in their inside-out offensive sets they run. Last year, Taylor was the benefactor of some Garrett, Jr. feeds and played of star senior Blackshear freeing up him against defenders in the paint. Taylor won’t have that luxury this year but his added quickness and overall post moves should improve Morgan Park’s inside game. With most of the attention set on the Mustangs’ back court that will also include major contributions  from Jr. SG Terrance Quinn (6-1, 160 lbs, no offers), Taylor should be set for a big year in the points and rebound department.

Looking at this team, there is as much star power as a party at Andy Dick’s house. Garrett, Jr. will far and away be the Mustangs’ best and most important player. There are several good role players on this team that should take some of the load off of Billy. If Taylor could become a legitimate double-double threat game after game, and if Morgan Park could get another guard like Quinn or Williams to become a constant scorer, Morgan Park should be in the top ten, if not top 5 teams in the state.

NEXT WEEK: TOP TEAMS IN ILLINIOS (THE LAST ONE)