By Bobby Narang –
The York High School boys basketball team is relying on senior experience for a fast start this season.
Through seven games, the Dukes had won six games, including both of their West Suburban Silvers games. York knocked off Glenbard West, 52-44, Saturday to stay unbeaten in the conference with Downers Grove North and Oak Park-River Forest.
With seniors Erik Cohn, Sam Walsh, John Milling and Nick Kosich joining junior Nate Shockey in the starting lineup, the Dukes certainly have the experience to contend for the conference championship.
“We have a lot of players with returning talent that makes this team fun to coach,” said York head coach Vince Doran after his team beat Lyons. “They all work hard and have played together for a few years.”
Cohn, the younger brother of former York star guard David Cohn, is part of York’s resurgence this season. The 6-3 Cohn scored 12 points in a victory over Lyons November 30. Cohn, the MVP of this season’s Ed Molitor Thanksgiving Classic Tournament in Palatine, made a three-pointer and two-handed dunk in the last minute of York’s 60-56 road victory over Lyons (4-3 overall through Monday).
“He’s had a great start to the year,” Doran said. “That was a big shot he hit (against Lyons). That was the biggest shot of the game. It was great to see him step up. (Brother) David is his biggest fan. Erik knows he’s a different player. In some ways, Erik’s a bit better than David was in some areas. He’s a good athlete and a very good shooter. He’s really improved from last year. He was pretty one-dimensional, being able to only go right (last year).”
Meanwhile, Walsh scored 14 points, all in the first three quarters, in York’s victory over Glenbard West, while Kosich did the heavy work in the final eight minutes with 13 points.
York will play host to competitive Willowbrook (5-1 overall) at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 in non-conference and will play a showdown game against visiting Downers Grove North (7-0) at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21.