BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW — FOR SUN-TIMES MEDIA                         Feb. 9, 2011The old adage is that defense wins championships.And from the looks of things, the Morgan Park Mustangs have become great believers.

Wayne Blackshear scored 33 points and Morgan Park had no trouble with host Taft, winning 72-37 Tuesday in the first round of the Public League playoffs.

“Coach (Nick Irvin) told us they’re a tough team and that they finished towards the top of their conference,” Blackshear said. “We know that we want to make it back to the city championship and that everyone is gunning for us as we’re reigning champs.”

Despite starters Markee Williams and Billy Garrett Jr. not starting due to missing practice, Morgan Park (15-4) got off to a fast start behind the hot hand of Blackshear. He scored 14 points in the first quarter – highlighted by two emphatic dunks, including one he got fouled on – as Morgan Park led 24-9.

But it wasn’t all offense for the No. 4 Mustangs, as they held the Eagles scoreless for the first 3:28 of the game and limited them to two first-quarter baskets. The defense continued in the second half, as the Mustangs went on a 34-10 run from halftime until midway through the fourth quarter.

“We were trying to use different defense there.We started in a man switching and then to a 1-3-1 and that’s what won for us last year, so we have to get back to it,” Blackshear said.

The Eagles (12-12) held Blackshear to a combined two field goals in the second and third quarters. But the Louisville-bound senior was able to knock down his free throws, hitting seven of eight.

“I wasn’t shooting well at the line, so yesterday I came into the gym and shot free throws,” Blackshear said. “I know that if we want to win, we need to make them and I think it paid off, because I only missed one free throw today.”

Garrett and Jerome Brown each added 11 points for Morgan Park. Jon Doss led Taft with 15 points.