‘I’m very happy’ Tavari Johnson makes smashing debut in Lyons’ season-opening win over Morton

CICERO – For a basketball season with many changes, Lyons Township junior Tavari Johnson made a seamless transition to varsity Friday.

“I didn’t really believe it was different, playing on varsity. But it’s really different. It’s more fun, more competitive,” Johnson said.

The 6-foot starting guard scored 23 points as the Lions defeated Morton 59-51 in the unique season opener for both teams in Cicero with no spectators and masks being worn at all times.

“I’m very happy. I thought it was a great team effort. It was very fun to be out here,” Johnson said. “You lock in more with no fans, no crowd, no away fans yelling at you the whole game. (Wearing a mask) you get very tired, quicker, it’s hard to breathe but the water breaks halfway through (quarters) really helped.”

Seniors Christian Desimone scored 16 points with four 3-pointers and Cade Nelson 14 points and seven assists for the Lions. Junior Eliot Russell added eight points and nine rebounds.

The Mustangs received huge games from standout senior guard Jesus Perez with 29 points and three 3-pointers and junior guard with Eliseo Gonzalez with 24 points and six 3-pointers. Junior Armani Flowers added five points and five rebounds.

Johnson scored the final two points on free throws after the Mustangs collected eight unanswered points.

“The biggest thing is, I think, the kids had fun. They got to play a real game and they had fun and that’s what it’s supposed to be all about,” said LT coach Tom Sloan, who used 11 players. “I was really proud of our effort. It was ugly at times, especially late against the pressure we turned it over too much, but really unselfish. The kids shared the ball and found open guys. Multiple guys made shots and we had a pretty good effort on defense.”

Desimone scored all of his threes in the first quarter – a 4-for-5 shooting spree that helped LT reel off a 14-0 run for a 20-8 lead. Morton closed to 27-24 on Gonzalez’s three, but another LT spurt rebuilt the advantage to 35-26 by halftime.

The Mustangs also closed to 40-36 on a Gonzalez three in the third quarter.

“(Perez and Gonzalez) can really score so that was quite a challenge. The kids did a nice job of not letting a bad play turn into multiple bad plays, punch counter-punch,” Sloan said. “Tavari did a lot of stuff obviously but everybody that was on the floor was making big plays. We have really good chemistry so they’re willing to share the ball.”

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Lyons Township’s Christian Desimone (left) and Morton’s Elisio Gonzalez battle for the ball during their basketball game at Morton High School in Cicero, Ill., on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. (Eileen T. Meslar/Eileen T. Meslar)

Desimone came off bench for last season’s LT all-senior starting lineup. His outside shooting at the outset Friday extended the Mustangs’ 2-3 zone defense and created opportunities for Johnson to attack the basket.

In the second half, Johnson exploded for 15 points while Desimone had six rebounds.

“Christian really helped us out with the threes. He’s a very good shooter. It really opens it up a lot,” Johnson said.

Perez and Gonzalez return but the Mustangs also have several new faces. Three of their four sophomores on varsity made their debuts – Victor Garrett, Aaron Miramontes and Adrian Anderson. When the Mustangs returned to practice, the home scoreboard still had the final score of last year’s regional championship victory.

“It was bringing back a lot of memories,” Perez said. “Just being here right now, not seeing a lot of fans, it’s a whole different ballgame. We just have to make the best of it.”

The Mustangs quickly switched to more man-to-man defense. Morton coach Tony Martinucci said with some scouting, he probably would have pressed more and used a more guard-oriented lineup that matched up better.

“They shot us out of the zone,” Martinucci said. “Obviously the four sophomores playing with Jesus will make them better, but they’ll have to learn.”

“The good thing is the younger ones didn’t give up. They played hard,” Perez said. “I appreciate that they’re playing for us seniors, bringing what they’ve got to the table.”