Messiah Jones dominates the post, Simeon cruises into city title game

There is no indication in warmups that Simeon junior Messiah Jones is going to be a force in the post. The 6-5 junior is rarely the tallest or strongest player in the game, but when the ball is tipped he looks like the second coming of former Simeon star Edward Morrow.

Jones finished with 21 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks in the Wolverines’ 60-49 victory against Young in the Public League Tournament semifinals on Friday at Chicago State. The Dolphins only managed 24 rebounds as a team.

“Wow,” Jones said. “I didn’t realize, I’m just glad we got the win. I love this team.”

Simeon is just a bad matchup for Young. It is the second time this season the Wolverines used a huge rebounding advantage to knock off the Dolphins.

“They don’t have any height, they are definitely a perimeter team,” Simeon coach Robert Smith said.

The score was tied at 40 after three quarters but the Dolphins (20-7) didn’t score for the first 4:30 of the third quarter and Simeon took control with a 14-0 run.

“We played ok,” Smith said. “We put eight good minutes together but we still have a long way to go.”

Kezo Brown scored 14 and senior Evan Gilyard added 13. Junior Talen Horton-Tucker added six points and eight rebounds.

Junior Javon Freeman continued his breakout season. The Young guard had a game-high 26 points and six rebounds. Simeon held the Dolphins top player, Lucas Williamson, to just two points.

“We played as a family, we came together,” Brown said. “We’re a good defensive team, the coaches preach about that.”

Simeon will face Morgan Park, a 53-56 winner against Curie in the other semifinal, in the city title game on Sunday.

The Mustangs and Morgan Park have never played each other in the city title game before. Both teams play on Saturday in the City/Suburban Showdown at Robert Morris. Simeon faces Evanston, Morgan Park plays Stevenson.

“It’s definitely going to change my approach [against Stevenson],” Morgan Park coach Nick Irvin said. “I have a city championship to win. Sunday is going to be an interesting game. The Battle of Vincennes. I can’t wait for it.”