BOYS’ ROUNDUP : Change of Venue to Palisades Proves Costly for Dorsey

Maybe it was the change in venue or the fact that their star player was sitting out most of the second half. Whatever the reason, Dorsey failed to play with much intensity and lost to Palisades, 58-49, Friday in the first round of the City Section 4-A Division playoffs.

More was expected of the Dons, who had reached the finals the past two years and had beaten two-time defending champion Crenshaw during Southern Pacific Conference regular season play.

Leading 34-33, the Dons had a chance to fulfill their high expectations, but instead made six turnovers.

Palisades took advantage of three turnovers to outscore the Dons, 7-0, to take a 40-34 lead. That margin eventually grew to 55-46, stunning the Dons. Palisades’ Kalier Clinton scored seven of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to lead the scoring spree.

Dorsey star forward Wil O’Neal saw most of the turnaround from the bench, not playing most of the second half because he was ineffective. O’Neal led the Dons scoring with nine points.

“We missed free throws and a lot of layups,” Dorsey assistant Coach Donald Muepo said. “Things just didn’t fall for us tonight.”

The game was switched to Palisades High on Monday because the Dolphins were the Metro League co-champions and earned home court advantage.