Metering is ON

Boys Basketball: Simeon rolls by Douglass

Story Image Simeon's Jabari Parker dunks the ball during the Wolverines' first round win over Douglass Academy High School Wednesday February 8, 2012 at Simeon. | TOM CRUZE~Sun-Times

Updated: February 8, 2012 9:50PM



Jabari Parker and Kendrick Nunn did not start for No. 1 Simeon against Douglass in the first-round game of the Public League Playoffs in front of the home crowd on Wednesday. They didn’t have to.

The top-seeded Wolverines (21-1) put on as dominant display in the second period in a resounding 98-31 win.

Simeon, who has won two consecutive state championships but no city title, took a 20-10 lead into the second period before things got out of control for the Tigers (10-3). At the five-minute mark, Parker, who finished with a game-high 22 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, and Nunn (15 points) entered the game and made an immediate impact. Nunn picked off a Douglass pass and kicked it to an open Parker who soared in the air, cocked his arm back, and slammed the ball in.

Nunn, who scored 12 points in the period, then buried a three from the left baseline. Jaylon Tate (16 points) joined in on the onslaught, scoring off two straight steals, the last one for a dunk that made it 36-12 with 3:49 left in the first half.

The Wolverines, who finished with 33 points in the second period, held the Tigers to only four points in the same time span and led 53-14 at the half.

“We just played their kind of game in the second period. It’s our first time playing them, but it’s always frustrating to go through a period like that,” said Douglass guard Lavontae Mitchell, who led the Tigers in scoring with six points.

Parker dropped 13 points on Douglass in the third period, including five dunks. It seemed that all Simeon had to do was lob the ball into the post, where Parker played most of the game. Surprisingly, Douglass did not double-team the star player down low.

“We decided to just man-up, but we have to man-up better next time,” said Mitchell.

Parker left the game for good with 5:15 left in the fourth period after another impressive slam and Simeon leading 91-23.

Reggie Norris finished with 13 points for the Wolverines.

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