Sophomore Starks keys Dolphins’ romp

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Most sophomores as talented as Young’s Ahmad Starks would find a reason to complain about coming off the bench.

Starks isn’t your typical sophomore.

‘‘I know if I play well, I will stay in,’’ Starks said. ‘‘Sometimes I can be laid back. This keeps me at the top of my game.’’

Starks was certainly on top of his game Friday in the Dolphins’ 90-63 win over Morton in the Class 4A Young Regional final.

Starks scored 22 points on 8-for-11 shooting in what may have been Young’s best performance since its season-opening shellacking of Hales Franciscan.

‘‘We knew they would have a huge crowd here and it would give them a lot of intensity,’’ Starks said. ‘‘So we had to come out and match that intensity right from the start.’’

Senior Julian Kenner may have been the key factor in Young’s hot start. The senior guard made three-pointers on four consecutive possessions, a 12-2 run all by himself.

‘‘I was feeling it the whole game,’’ Kenner said. ‘‘We knew they could shoot pretty well, so it was important for one of us to get hot. My teammates got me the ball, and it’s my job to hit open shots.’’

Kenner finished with 15 points and senior AJ Rompza scored 17. Sophomore AJ Johnson added 15 points for Young (24-5).

Juan Valdez led Morton (24-4) with 16 points. Luke Scarlata and Raul Guzman each added 11 points.

‘‘We’ve had plenty of ups and downs during the season,’’ Rompza said. ‘‘But we’ve all got a nice personal connection and its showing on the court. We’re starting to play up to our abilities.’’