The Dynamic Duo of Wilkins-Fortson

Crenshaw may have the best collection of new talent in City Section basketball, but the one thing the Cougars never had this season was a point guard like Dorsey’s Kenya Wilkins.

The 5-foot-10 senior guard could easily dissipate the heat of the press, drive through the traffic of defenders and make double-pump layups worthy of highlight films.

Despite being part traffic controller, part Globetrotter and part acrobat, Wilkins wasn’t a magician. He could not make Crenshaw disappear.

The Dons made three attempts and failed to beat Crenshaw each time. Friday, Dorsey was beaten, 92-71, in the City 4-A final at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.

“Kenya did everything for this team,” said Dorsey Coach Kevin Gibson. “Scoring. Play-making. Defense. You name it, he did it.”

Wilkins, who signed early with Oregon, gave it his best shot, scoring 15 points. But it takes more than a one-man show to beat Crenshaw’s all-star cast.

“Wilkins is one of the best guards in the city,” said Crenshaw Coach Willie West. “We knew he would give us problems.”

“Kenya: He’s the best point guard in the City, bar none,” teammate Davey Fortson said.

Wilkins was not alone in his pursuit of perfection. Fortson, a 6-2 senior guard, scored 21 points to lead the Dons.

Together, Wilkins and Fortson were arguably the best guard combination in the City. They outplayed Fairfax’s Robert Foster, who signed early with Indiana. They picked apart second-seeded North Hollywood and its star guards, Arthur Lee and Fantasia Johnson.

And they were the difference as Dorsey beat Washington to reach the finals.

“Kenya and Davey were our leaders,” Gibson said. “Without them, we wouldn’t be here.”

Wilkins and Fortson were both nominated, but not selected for the McDonald’s All-American team, which picks the best seniors to play in an all-star game.

While the Dons had the guards, they needed to size to win the title. “Rebounding,” Gibson said. “It showed tonight. We needed more size.”

The Dons will have two more holes to fill.