Column: Like father, like son: Lafayette Dorsey Jr. stars for Dons in win over Taft
Lafayette Dorsey Sr. (left) was an All-City guard for Dorsey High. Now his son, Lafayette Dorsey Jr., is leading the Dons. He scored 23 points Saturday night in a win over Taft.
Back in 1986, the year Stevie Thompson was leading Crenshaw High to City Section basketball dominance, there was an All-City guard, Lafayette Dorsey, playing for the Dorsey Dons.
Thirty years later, his son, Lafayette Dorsey Jr, is on his way to earning All-City honors and has the Dons one victory away from playing for a City Section Open Division title.
“It’s pretty cool going to the same school my dad came out of,” said Dorsey, who scored 23 points on Saturday night in the Dons’ 76-64 playoff win over Taft.
The Dons (24-6) led by as many as 21 points in the fourth quarter before doing what they’ve done many times this season — lose focus. Taft (25-6) got as close as nine points but the Toreadors struggled to put together baskets all night. Kihei Clark finished with 22 points for Taft.
Cameron Evans and Tommie Groce supported Dorsey with 17 points apiece. Groce, the best dunker in the City Section, excited the home crowd with a couple of jams.
Now the Dons move on to play No. 1-seeded Westchester in a semifinal game next Saturday at 8 p.m. at Roybal. Westchester defeated El Camino Real, 54-44.
Lafayette Dorsey’s rise as a top player this season will help the Dons. He has been attacking the basket and also dishing off for assists. He’s playing with a sense of urgency.
“It’s my senior year,” he said. “I’m trying to go to college.”
No. 2-seeded Fairfax escaped with a 38-36 victory over Washington. Babacar Thiombane tipped in a missed shot with two seconds left. Ethan Anderson had 11 points for Fairfax. Matthew Mondesir led Washington with 14 points.
Fairfax played without Antoine Monroe, who was ill. The Lions led 14-13 at halftime, as both teams struggled to make shots.
Fairfax will play Narbonne at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Roybal. Narbonne received 27 points from D’Mauria Jones in a 76-69 victory over Birmingham. Deschon Winston scored 23 points for Birmingham.
In Division I, Crenshaw’s Chris Kendrick scored 30 points in a 99-91 victory over University. Jude Agbasi had 32 points for University.
Fremont defeated Sylmar, 76-54, as Dayshone Henry scored 25 points.
Twitter: @LATSondheimer
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