On the way to Morgan Park to watch her son’s basketball team host Bogan on Thursday, Tiffany Burrell received the news about the game that almost wasn’t.
Morgan Park principal Carolyn Epps reversed course and agreed to have her school’s Mustangs play Simeon in Morgan Park’s tiny gym next Thursday.
There was more good news later on the court for the Tribune top-ranked Mustangs, who came from behind to beat Bogan 77-67.
Burrell and the rest of the parents of Morgan Park’s players called for their sons to boycott a game against No. 3 Simeon last week unless it was played on campus.
The game was instead postponed when Epps agreed to meet with the parents on Saturday. The location of the Simeon game remained in limbo while Epps looked into security measures.
Morgan Park’s home games against Simeon have been moved to a neutral court the past several years because Morgan Park’s gym can only accomodate about 250 fans.
“She did her due diligence and made sure everything would be safe at the game on Thursday,” said Burrell, whose son Melo is a junior forward on the team. “That’s what took so long before we could announce to the media. I’m just glad everyone realizes the importance of the game to the boys and the importance of what we were trying to do. We are just elated right about now.”
Morgan Park’s parents seized the media attention the situation has received to highlight the need for upgraded facilities.
Morgan Park players, coaches and parents have said the school needs a new gym for physical education classes and other school functions, on top of making it easier for the Mustangs to host marquee games.
“I hope the gymnasium is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Jamarra Dosunmu, mother of sophomore guard Ayo Dosunmu. “Walk through the school or go to the bathroom. You will see the many upgrades the school needs.
“I do feel a sense of accomplishment. We are still going to continue to fight for the things all of our kids in the community deserve. Not only the players, the girls basketball players, the volleyball team, the softball team, everyone who uses the facilities. They deserve to be up to par.
“I had some really harsh emails that this is bad parenting, sending the wrong message. Ayo is the youngest of four. I’ve always expressed to my children to express what you believe in regardless of who agrees with you. You have the right to voice that.”
Meanwhile, Charlie Moore delivered yet again for Morgan Park as the Mustangs (14-1, 7-0) turned back a strong challenge from No. 5 Bogan (15-5, 6-3).
The Memphis recruit’s brilliant senior season continued when he overcame a slow start to score 38 points and knock down all 12 of his free throws in a come-from-behind victory over the Bengals.
Moore scored just five points and did not play the final 12 minutes of Morgan Park’s 79-58 win at Bogan. The Red South and Class 3A rivals figure to meet again in the state sectionals.
“We are a well-oiled machine,” Morgan Park coach Nick Irvin said. “When you’ve got the best basketball player in the world, Charlie Moore, Mr. Basketball, Charlie Moore, you can’t lose.
“What I told Charlie was, ‘You’ve got to be a little patient. You’ve got the ballclub, utilize the team, get them involved and pick-and-choose your spots.'”
Morgan Park threw double-teams at Bogan star James Jones to limit him to two points in the first half and 13 overall. But the Bengals were ahead most of the game nevertheless.
Their largest lead was 47-42 in the third quarter, and they were ahead 57-56 in the fourth when Ayo Dosunmu, Melo Burrell and Jamal Burton (8 points, 6 rebounds) supported Moore in the type of flourish that seems to define every Morgan Park victory over a quality team.
“A lot of guys made big plays,” Moore said. “I just knew if we kept executing, taking care of the ball and getting stops we’d get the win.”
Mike Helfgot is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.
