Cameron Mwachullah's hard-nosed defense slows down Young, leads Kenwood into city semis

Technically, Kenwood is the defending city champion. But all five starters from that team graduated, and the group this season has been learning how to win varsity games for the last four months.

The Broncos have built a tough, hard-nosed identity. That was the plan.

‘‘Everybody has been saying all these years that Kenwood is soft,’’ junior Cameron Mwachullah said. ‘‘We had to beat that narrative and show them Chicago.’’

No one watching the game in Young’s gym Saturday would say Mwachullah is soft. The 5-11 guard had the most difficult assignment — to stop Dolphins star Marquis Clark.

Clark, a Tennessee recruit, is the most talented player in the Public League, and slowing him down was the Broncos’ only route to victory.

Mwachullah was up to the task. He fouled out midway through the third quarter but did his job to near-perfection. Clark was frustrated and had only 11 points at the time.

Clark surged after that, but Kenwood held on to beat No. 18 Young 62-57 to advance to the Final Four of the Public League playoffs.

‘‘I had to believe in myself,’’ Mwachullah said. ‘‘We prepared and did our scouting, so I knew what was coming. I made sure I stuck to what we had been working on.’’

Clark made two three-pointers, two transition baskets and one free throw when Mwachullah was guarding him. He scored 17 points in the 12 minutes after Mwachullah fouled out to finish with 28.

‘‘[Mwachullah] is our ironman,’’ Broncos coach Mohammed Cookbey said. ‘‘The biggest part of our team is his defensive presence.’’

Kenwood (17-7) opened a 16-6 lead and led by 14 points at halftime. The Dolphins (21-7) fought back and cut the lead to three three times in the last two minutes, but that was as close as it got.

‘‘[Kenwood] got off to an early start and rhythm,’’ Young coach Tyrone Slaughter said. ‘‘We had to close that gap, and we did. They outplayed us, and they were more deserving to win. Sixteen missed free throws are going to be enough to lose a game.’’

Junior Osiris Bell led the Broncos with 17 points. Junior Damari Stephens had 14 points and nine rebounds, and senior Jordan Walker added 14 points.

‘‘It was physical,’’ Stephens said. ‘‘I have a busted lip and everything. But we just have to be tough every game and keep up the aggression.’’

Clark has been playing with a facemask since suffering a broken nose Jan. 8 against Lincoln Park. He was hit in the face multiple times against Kenwood and was slow to get up a couple of times.

‘‘He is a warrior,’’ Slaughter said. ‘‘He battled and tried to finish the game. Marquis gave an All-State-caliber performance but just came up a little bit short.’’

Sophomore Colby Irvin stepped up and played key minutes at the end for the Broncos.

‘‘He can make all the reads and all the right passes,’’ Cookbey said. ‘‘And he is not afraid of the moment. He’s an Irvin.’’

Kenwood will face Curie in the Public League semifinals Wednesday at UIC. The Broncos have played in the last three city title games. Hyde Park will take on Lincoln Park in the other semifinal.