Jan. 01--What York lacks in starpower it makes up for in tough senior guards.
Ryan Camp, John Julian and John Morrissey are their names, and they combined for the Dukes' final nine points in their 45-40 victory against Naperville North in the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic title game Thursday in Elmhurst.
Patrick Grabowski, a 6-foot-5 senior whose return from injury sparked York's tournament run, had a game-high 12 points and Camp scored seven of his nine in the fourth quarter to earn tournament MVP honors as the host school won for the first time since 2012.
"It (being MVP) doesn't mean anything," Camp said. "That plaque over there means something. It is nice, it is an honor. I think anyone on this team could have gotten it.
"It is nice when you don't have anybody who's a big name or a D-I commit. You've got a team that comes together. We've played together a long time. We know how to play together."
Grabowski, the team's leading scorer in the tournament at just under 12 points a game, staked York (10-3) to a quick lead, and freshman Nick Kosich gave the Dukes a boost when they fell behind.
Kosich hit two 3-pointers as York turned a 25-21 deficit into a 31-25 lead.
Chris Johnson (13 points) got Naperville North (9-3) within 41-40 in the final minute, but Julian sank two clutch free throws before Camp closed it out from the line.
"I don't think people would have predicted these two teams would be in the championship game," York coach Vince Doran said. "I don't know if I would have myself. I just think we jelled at the right time.
"Our team is the no-name gang that just kind of plays together. We don't have a David Cohn, we don't have a Frank Toohey. We don't have that starpower, but we play good together as a team."
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Player of the game: Ryan Camp, York, 9 points (7 in fourth quarter).
Key performers: York -- Patrick Grabowski, 12 points, 5 rebounds; Nick Kosich, 9 points, 3 3-pointers. Naperville North -- Chris Johnson, 13 points, 5 rebounds.
