Richmond leads Mustangs to final

Updated: March 23, 2011 9:28AM

Morgan Park got all it could handle from first-time Public League girls semifinalist Lincoln Park, but the Mustangs finished with a bang and advanced to the city championship for the first time since 1999.

Junior Gabrielle Richmond made a go-ahead basket with 1:46 to play as No. 12 Morgan Park rallied to beat Lincoln Park 54-49 in the first semifinal of the city girls tournament Wednesday night at DePaul's McGrath Arena.

"None of us have ever, ever been to the city championship," said Richmond, who led Morgan Park with 24 points. "We're excited, but everyone was nervous and clutching the chairs (on the bench). And give them credit, they played their hearts out."

After Jasmine Williams (12 points) scored to put Lincoln Park up 49-48, Richmond scored to put the Mustangs (24-3) ahead. Debra Jenkins, the sister of Whitney Young's DePaul-bound point guard Chanise Jenkins, split two free throws and so did junior Kendyl Nunn, whose brother Kendrick is a sophomore guard for the top-rated Simeon boys team. Kendyl Nunn, who finished with 14 points, got a steal and layup in the final seconds.

"Gaby is averaging 16 points and 12 rebounds," Morgan Park coach Thomas Johnson said. "At 6-1, she is a very strong young lady. I think that our juniors, Richmond, Nunn and Jenkins have been the nucleus of this team. These kids played hard and never gave up all year."

Johnson was an assistant with Washington's girls in 1999 when Morgan Park upset the Minutewomen in a Public League semifinal.

Illinois-Chicago signee Tashea Smalls led Lincoln Park with 14 points, all in the first half. Junior Jasmine Williams scored 12 for the Lions (23-4) and Vanessa Henley added 11 points. The Lions have been under the radar much of the season, but were ready for a bigger stage and gave Morgan Park all it could handle.

"Lincoln Park really came to play," Richmond said. "They were making some crazy shots and No. 24 (Smalls) was killing us in the first half."

"We played very well but just made mistakes at the end and didn't close it out," Lincoln Park coach Larry Washington said. "I thought Morgan Park's big girl (Richmond) played a great game."

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