Adam Miller rises to challenge, Morgan Park beats Simeon

Morgan Park junior Adam Miller has been one of the city’s superstars this season, but he only managed four points in the first half against Simeon in the Public League playoff semifinals on Friday at Chicago State.

Mustangs coach Nick Irvin was not gentle during the break, asking Miller “Are you a superstar or are you a fraud?”

Miller responded, scoring 26 points in the second half to finish with 30 and lead Morgan Park to a 71-68 victory over the Wolverines, who had their streak of three city championships snapped.

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“You can’t say enough about Miller,” Irvin said. “He needs to take home every award. He’s a phenomenal player.”

PHOTO GALLERY

Simeon’s Kejuan Clements (0) watches Morgan Park’s Adam Miller (44) get called for travelling violation during their CPS semi final game at Chicago State University, Friday, February 15, 2019. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun Times

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Morgan Park’s Christian Roberts (3) runs into Simeon’s Sincere Callwood (4) and Kejuan Clements (0) in their CPS semi final game at Chicago State University, Friday, February 15, 2019. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun Times

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Simeon’s Jeremiah Stamps (15) has his shot blocked by Morgan Park’s Kyel Grover (0) in their CPS semi final game at Chicago State University, Friday, February 15, 2019. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun Times

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Simeon’s Antonio Reeves (3) stays ahead of Morgan Park’s Adam Miller (44) in their CPS semi final game at Chicago State University, Friday, February 15, 2019. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun Times

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Simeon’s Kejuan Clements (0) drives against Morgan Park’s Isaiah Burrell (10) in their CPS semi final game at Chicago State University, Friday, February 15, 2019. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun Times

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Simeon’s Sincere Callwood (4) is harassed by Morgan Park’s Christian Roberts (3) in their CPS semi final game at Chicago State University, Friday, February 15, 2019. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun Times

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Simeon’s Kejuan Clements (0) holds off Morgan Park’s Adam Miller (44) in their CPS semi final game at Chicago State University, Friday, February 15, 2019. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun Times

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Simeon’s Andre Casey (23) shoots against Morgan Park’s Deshawndre Washington (24) in their CPS semi final game at Chicago State University, Friday, February 15, 2019. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun Times

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Morgan Park’s Adam Miller (44) holds off Simeon’s Kejuan Clements (0) in CPS semi final game at Chicago State University, Friday, February 15, 2019. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun Times

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Morgan Park’s Kyel Grover (0) scores an easy dunk against Simeon in CPS semi final game at Chicago State University, Friday, February 15, 2019. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun Times

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Morgan Park’s Marcus Watson (22) dribbles around Simeon’s Jeremiah Stamps (15) in CPS semi final action at Chicago State University, Friday, February 15, 2019. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun Times

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Morgan Park’s Deshawndre Washington (24) scores against Simeon in CPS semi final game at Chicago State University, Friday, February 15, 2019. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun Times

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Morgan Park’s Marcus Watson (22) scores against Simeon’s Sincere Callwood (4) in their CPS semi final game at Chicago State University, Friday, February 15, 2019. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun Times

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Morgan Park’s Isaiah Burrell (10) dunks ahead of Simeon’s Andre Casey (23) in their CPS semi final game at Chicago State University, Friday, February 15, 2019. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun Times

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Morgan Park’s Kyel Grover (0) scores over Simeon’s Andre Casey in their CPS semi final game at Chicago State University, Friday, February 15, 2019. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun Times

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Miller drained two three-pointers to start the third quarter and Irvin celebrated by pumping his fist in the air and screaming “He’s a killer, he’s a killer.”

“I’m a killer every time I step on the court,” Miller said. “I have to be like that. I slow start with three early fouls but it is not how you start the game, it is how you finish.”

Marcus Watson and Deshawndre Washington each scored 11 for the Mustangs (26-3).

“People worry about stopping me from getting 40 or 30 but it is a team game,” Miller said. “Anyone on the floor for us is capable of doing everything. Washington puts in the work in practice.”

Senior Antonio Reeves led Simeon (16-14) with 21 points and sophomore Ahamad Bynum added 14.

Morgan Park has won 22 consecutive games after starting the season 4-3.

“This means a lot,” Irvin said. “I haven’t been [in the city title game] since 2010 with Wayne Blackshear. We started off rocky and people were on Twitter talking crazy.”

The Mustangs are the area’s hottest team. They will face Curie, the area’s best team all season, in the city title game at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at Chicago State.