Air Jordan sees son key Young’s win in semifinals
Last year, Richards High took the IHSA Class 4A state boys basketball title away from our Zion-Benton Zee-Bees in a game witnessed by Richards fan and NBA superstar Dwyane Wade
Tonight, when Waukegan tries to become the first county school in the 102-year history of the IHSA state playoffs to bring home the championship trophy, sitting in the stands and rooting for the opposition – Chicago Young – will be NBA all-time great Michael Jordan.
Jordan was in the house here Friday to see his son – senior guard Marcus Jordan – lead Young to a come-from-behind 59-54 victory over Thornton
Young trailed by three points at halftime, but used its superior height advantage and Jordan’s work as the point guard to overcome the Wildcats.
Young will give Waukegan some problems because it plays with three big players while Waukegan has just Jereme Richmond playing center on defense in a four-guard lineup.
Of course, some would say Richmond plays defense as well as any three players in the state.
Young is 25-9 on the season, but seven of its losses have come against national powerhouses from around the country.
Only North Lawndale and Morton beat Young in games played in Illinois, and the Morton loss came before Young changed its lineup and added a third, strong inside player.
Tonight’s game will air on Channel 50 live at about 8:15 p.m. If you have the Comcast cable TV system, the game will be shown on Channel 8.
