Marcus Jordan has heard it all from what he calls “the Young haters.”
All the expectations of a high-profile program with six Division I prospects combined with its reputation as the role-model school of the Public League have generated high expectations along with a little envy.
Well, Young answered its critics Friday night at Carver Arena with a gritty 59-54 semifinal victory over Thornton, the state’s top-ranked Class 4A team.
The final exam for Young (25-9) comes at 8:15 p.m. Saturday, when the Dolphins tangle with Waukegan (26-4) and emerging superstar Jereme Richmond for the state title.
“The Young haters are out there — people who say we can’t play as a team and that there aren’t enough basketballs to go around,” Jordan said. “These are the people that enjoy it when Young fails.
“We’re not going to give them that chance.”
With Michael Jordan looking on in the second row behind the Dolphins’ bench, Marcus had his own Jordanesque kind of game.
The 6-foot-3-inch senior scored 19 of his game-high 22 points in the second half, including 10 in the fourth quarter to stave off a late Thornton push.
Eight consecutive Jordan free throws and a jump shot had given Young a 55-49 lead, and teammate Stanford Brown’s dunk with 1 minute 17 seconds left made it 57-49.
A three-pointer by Jamal Gray followed by a jumper from Jay Parker (team-high 12 points) brought Thornton (29-2) within 57-54 with 55 seconds to go. Two free throws by Chris Colvin (12 points, six rebounds, five assists, four steals) finished off the Wildcats.
“At halftime my dad told me to attack the paint,” said Marcus Jordan, whose drives to the basket resulted in those fourth-quarter free throws. “He also said to grab the rebound and go, but don’t go too fast.
“It feels good to have my own moment. I’ve heard all the stories of how my dad would take over games in the fourth quarter. It was hard growing up and hearing everyone say you’ll never be as good as your dad.”
Jordan and Colvin were both savoring the moment of playing for a state title in their final year of high school.
“We’ve been working so hard to try and get this championship,” Colvin said. “I think we can do it.”
