York advances to title game of Jack Tosh Holiday Classic

York center Frank Toohey was more than a handful for visiting Lyons Monday night.

The 6-foot-8 senior scored a game-high 20 points — to go along with eight rebounds — as the unbeaten Dukes (12-0 overall) cruised to a 56-42 win over the Lions in a Jack Tosh Holiday Classic semifinal.

“My teammates did a nice job of getting me the ball inside tonight,” Toohey, who will play college ball at Air Force, said. “And we played some solid defense.”

That defense held Lyons to a meager 14-of-42 shooting (33 percent) from the field, including 6-for-21 in the second half. The Dukes also got strong contributions from guards Charlie Rose (nine points) and Jack Heinle (8 points, seven rebounds, four assists).

After falling behind 7-2 to open the game, the Dukes raced back to take the lead for good early in the second quarter. Despite the perfect record, they refuse to get too excited as they prepare for Tuesday’s title game against the winner of the other semifinal between Lake Forest and Highland Park.

“I don’t think there’s any additional pressure just because we haven’t lost yet,” York coach Vince Doran said. “We’ve gotta enjoy it. But honestly, we don’t really talk about it at all.”

Lyons (8-4) was without two of its top six players in senior forward Chris Hester and guard Jim Cullen. They got a team-high 18 points from Harrison Niego in defeat.

“We’re not making excuses, but it’s hard enough playing a team like York when you’re full strength, let alone missing two of your top players like we were,” Lyons coach Tom Sloan said. “Chris was double-digit points and rebounds for us every game of the tournament I think.”