By Michael Wojtychiw

Big time players make big time plays.

Or in Skylar Jones’ case, big time free throws. The Young senior hit 20-of-21 free throws, including 14-of-15 in the second half to help lead her team to a Chicago Public League city title Saturday at Credit Union 1 Arena. 

The Dolphins defeated Kenwood for the second consecutive season, this time taking the Broncos down 58-45.

The win marked the Dolphins’ 12th city title, while denying Kenwood its first city championship.

“The last time I played here, I missed the two free throws to win the game,” Jones said, recalling a one-point loss to Barrington at the Chicago Elite Classic in December. “So I really emphasized me making free throws when I’m tired. We shoot a lot of free throws in practice. When we miss we run. So I feel that has a lot to do with me making free throws under pressure.”

The Dolphins beat the Broncos at their own game, continually breaking Kenwood’s vaunted full-court press en route to 26 fast-break points to the Broncos’ 10.

It helped the team get out to a strong start in the first half, where the fast-break discrepancy was 17-1. At one point, the Dolphins led 28-11 after Hailey Hillman made a basket with just over three minutes remaining in the first half.

Both teams struggled shooting the ball in the third quarter, with the Broncos making only 4-of-15 shots, while the Dolphins made only 2-of-10. Despite the poor shooting, Kenwood was able to cut the lead down to 43-32 going into the fourth quarter and got it to within 45-40 with five-and-a-half minutes remaining on a basket by Sanai Tyler. The Broncos, however, never got any closer, and the Dolphins, who never trailed, hit their free throws down the stretch to win the game. 

For the majority of the Dolphins squad, the win marked their second consecutive city title, including sophomore Destiny Jackson, who played a major role for the team in her debut season last year.

“I felt way more confident this time than when I played in this environment the first time,” she said. “I felt that was just like the difference, being in my comfort zone.”

Jones led the Dolphins with a game-high 28 points, while Jackson added 14. Ariella Henigan was the lone Bronco is double figures with 11.

The teams now get ready for the state playoffs, where they will both host a regional before potentially facing off in the Proviso East Sectional. The Broncos are seeded first and the Dolphins third, so the only time they could see each other would be in the final.

“I’m sure it won’t be the last time,” Young coach Krissy Harper said. “They’re a good program. We look forward if we do match up with them in two weeks.”

The teams combined for 45 fouls, 57 free throws and four technicals, two by each team. Harper knew that the game was going to be a tough, physical one, especially after the two teams’ battle on January 28 which saw the teams combine for 45 fouls as well.

“We know when we play Kenwood, there will be a lot of aggressiveness, it’s going to be a battle of the boards and it’s going to come down to knocking down free throws,” she said. 

“Today was our day.”