April 25, 2024
Sports

High school boys basketball: Tyric Edwards' improving game an asset for Morton

By JASON ROSSI

Morton's Tyric Edwards (right) and Malik Jones (left) battle Downers Grove South's David Roubalik for a rebound during a game on Jan. 11 in Downers Grove. Varsity newcomer Edwards hit several big shots in the second half, but the Mustangs fell 60-59. (Mark Busch)

CICERO – Making the jump up from the freshman or sophomore level to varsity is a challenge for most basketball players.

The challenge has been greater for Morton’s Tyric Edwards this season. He wasn’t a part of the Mustangs’ program last season, but has found a way to adapt to varsity ball and is a key piece for Morton this season.

“I’m getting more comfortable and getting more aggressive, pushing the ball trying to make plays and doing whatever I can to help the team win,” Edwards said.

Edwards’ progression was evident when the Mustangs took on Downers Grove South in a West Suburban Gold game Jan. 11. Morton came up just short in a 60-59 loss, but Edwards sank 3-of-4 shots in the second half and finished with eight points. He hit a midrange jumper and had a driving layup on back-to-back possessions in the fourth quarter. Each basket put Morton back in the lead after South had tied the game.

Edwards’ well-rounded game included four rebounds, a steal and an assist.

“Tyric’s coming along. He played a real good game [against Downers Grove South],” Morton head coach Tony Martinucci said. “He’s getting better. He practices hard every day, and he’s hit a few big shots for us.”

All of Edwards’ baskets in the second half broke ties. He nailed a midrange jumper late in the third quarter to put the Mustangs ahead 44-42 heading into the fourth. At 6-foot-5, Edwards is a presence around the basket, but his midrange game is an area he keeps developing.

“I’ve been working on that in the season, and I’ve been getting more confidence with that shot in a game,” Edwards said. “I’m just being more aggressive and gaining more confidence in my game and my shot.”

Detalian Brown scored 14 of his team-high 19 points in the first half, Vinny Belcaster added 13 points, and Stephon Jordan finished with eight points, but the Mustangs came out on the wrong end of the result when South’s Denis Alibegovic sank a shot with 14.6 seconds left.

Despite the loss it was a solid effort for the Mustangs, who got back on track with a WSG win against Leyden on Jan. 14. Morton improved to 5-8 overall and 2-3 in the conference, and continued efforts like the one it had against DGS should eventually be rewarded with better results.

“They played their butts off [against Downers Grove South],” Martinucci said. “I think they played the best they could possibly play. Other than the Westinghouse game [in November], it was probably the best game we played all year. We really played good. When they made their run, we didn’t fold. We battled them and battled back.”

Lyons Township boys bowling

Matt Lang bowled a perfect 300 game as part of a 1,339 series as the Lions took home the title at the IC Catholic regional tournament Jan. 14.

LT compiled a team score of 6,124 to hold off Lake Park (6,014) for the title. Ian Delleman (1,366), Marco Garcia (1,241) and Otto Meccia (1,061) joined Lang with four-figure scores. Dylan Jones (950) and Nick Wojcicki (167) also competed for the Lions, who move on to the Glenbard East sectional Jan. 21.

Riverside Brookfield
boys basketball

The Bulldogs were locked in a tight battle against host St. Edward on Jan. 13, but a 7-0 surge to close the first half led to a 31-24 halftime advantage and sparked RB to a 72-60 win.

The lead swelled to as many as 21 points in the second half. Jalen Clanton led the attack with 19 points and eight assists. Jalen Brooks had 15 points and five rebounds, sophomore Zach Vaia added 13 points and six assists, and junior Ryan Cicenas finished with 11 points and seven rebounds.

The Bulldogs improved to 8-7 overall before hosting Metro Suburban Conference foe Glenbard South on Jan. 17.

Nazareth boys basketball

The Roadrunners suffered a 61-55 loss against visiting Carmel on Jan. 13 when the Corsairs used a 12-0 run in the fourth quarter to turn a four-point deficit into an insurmountable lead.

Nazareth slipped to 4-11 overall and 0-3 in East Suburban Catholic Conference play. The Roadrunners received balanced scoring from Joshua Oglesby (14 points), Michael Adams and Tagen Pearson (12 points each) and Jake Santi (11 points).