Dawson gets McDonald's All-America nod, scores 37 in loss

Updated: March 23, 2011 9:26AM

It's lonely at the top.

On the same day that Branden Dawson was named a McDonald's All-American, Lew Wallace played in front of a couple of handfuls of fans at the Hornets' gym. It's the first time since 1991 that a Northwest Indiana player has been named to the team. Glenn Robinson, who led Roosevelt to the state title and was named Mr. Basketball, earned the honor that year.

Despite the lofty honor, Dawson has earned his way onto the team in a pretty humbling environment.

The Lew Wallace junior varsity coach had to stand to coach his kids because their weren't enough folding chairs for him to sit.

Their opponent, LaLumiere, where tuition runs around $30,000 per year, has a team full of Division-I players. That includes Hanner Perea, a junior, who has verbally committed to play at Indiana. Perea had company. Indiana coach Tom Crean was sitting in the bleachers watching his prized 2012 recruit.

For Dawson, who eschewed prep school to return to Lew Wallace, it was a good day despite the fact that the Hornets lost to LaLumiere 75-60.

He was a one-man wrecking crew for the Hornets, scoring 37 points. That included making 4-of-5 from the 3-point line.

The Hornets played without two of their best guards in Deandre Williams and Devonte Harris. Harris will return tonight for the East Chicago game. Renaldo Thomas isn't sure when Williams will be back.

Without both guards, Dawson played point most of the night.

The 37 points is his second highest point total. He scored 40 against Milwaukee Vincent last year.

"I was just feeling it tonight," he said. "My release was really good."

Dawson has had the McDonald's berth in the back of his mind since freshman year when Thomas told him he was the best freshman he'd ever seen. He was officially notified on Jan. 24 that he'd be playing in the game on March 30 at the United Center.

"It's just a dream come true," he said of playing in the All-Star game. "It's something you start thinking about when you're a little kid. It's great opportunity for me."

Dawson was able to showcase his talent against some pretty good players.

Obij Aget, a 7-0 junior who is a Division I recruit, had 19 points while Perea pitched in with 13 points. That included two spectacular dunks.

The Hornets were never able to get it close after LaLumiere went on a 13-3 run in the second quarter.

A basket by Aget made it 30-17 with just under 3:00 left in the half.

By halftime, LaLumiere had a 35-19 advantage.

Wallace played hard in the second half, cutting the lead to nine in the fourth quarter on a 3-pointer by Maurice Thurmond.

Every time they made a mini-run, LaLumiere answered.

Thomas was happy with the effort.

"We played hard," he said. "They have some good players."

He has happier for Dawson.

"The best around here in a long time," he said.

Thomas called the award "awesome."

"It was always a goal for us," he said of Dawson making the McDonald's team.

Thomas noted that the regional schedule his team has played really helped get him the necessary exposure.

"He was seen by the right people," Thomas said.

He called Dawson a "great kid to coach. The only thing I try to do now is to keep him from getting frustrated."

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