Boys Basketball: Richards finds the answer to topple TF South

Updated: December 6, 2011 10:25PM

Jovone Shorter did everything for Richards in its first five games, averaging 23.6 points per game.

But when Shorter had an off night Tuesday, his teammates had his back as the Bulldogs rode a team effort to a 61-51 South Suburban crossover win over T.F. South in Oak Lawn.

“To win when your best player struggles, that says a lot about a team,” Richards coach John Chappetto said. “With an opportunity to beat a good team and win a conference home game, we looked at it as a must-win.”

The Bulldogs (4-2, 2-0) put the game away by shooting 10 of 12 from the field in the fourth quarter as their pressure defense and ability to penetrate created some easy baskets.

Richards began the period on a 12-2 run to pull away to a 51-38 lead. Sophomore big man Josh Meier (eight points, five rebounds) and freshman point guard Dedrick Shannon Jr. (nine points) scored four points each during the run.

Shannon Jr. was the catalyst, running the offense and wreaking havoc at the top of Richards’ press.

“We played together as a team and everybody played good,” he said.

“I feel like I can shoot, but when we had it rolling I wanted to get everyone involved. I don’t care if I score.”

Before the youngsters took over, senior forward Deonta Parker-Jones, nicknamed “Big Baby,” helped the Bulldogs keep a slim lead by scoring seven of his game-high 15 points in the third quarter.

Ira Crawford (12 points, eight rebounds) and Kenny Doss (10 points) led T.F. South (5-1, 1-1), which could not overcome going 8 of 31 from the field in the second half.

Shorter finished with five points on 2 of 8 shooting. LaBrian Whittle had 12 points and Raynard Judkins eight for the Bulldogs.

“Jovone really dominates most of the time,” Meier said. “We helped him out and I felt good about that.”

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