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JOE KNOWS: Lincoln coach Morton leaves door open for exit

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See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Joseph Staszewski

Brooklyn Daily

Abraham Lincoln hoops coach Dwayne “Tiny” Morton didn’t duck the subplot that he will be joining Railsplitters star Isaiah Whitehead at Seton Hall. He didn’t exactly take it head on either, but credit Morton for speaking when others would have run.

The New York Post reported last Thursday morning that Morton and Whitehead were going to be a package deal to the Pirates. Morton is reportedly going to get an assistant coaching job on head coach Kevin Willard’s staff at the New Jersey school when Whitehead joins the club next season. Such a move does not break any National Collegiate Athletic Association rules.

Morton could have dodged the issue with a “no comment,” or said today was all about Isaiah, or given a flat-out denial. But he didn’t. Instead, he made light of the situation and left the door open for his exit.

“If it’s the right fit, I’ll probably make a move,” he said at Whitehead’s press conference.

When Morton was asked if he would be at Lincoln in two seasons, first he just laughed andsaid, “Who knows?” But he later classified what he meant. Morton, who has won eight city tiles, said he is looking for a chance to coach in college and will be with Lincoln until he is offered a job appealing enough for him to leave.

“Seton Hall, St. John’s, UConn,” Morton told a pack of reporters in a masterful interview. “The tri-state area is my strength, so help me out.”

Morton admitted to have more of a say in Whitehead’s recruiting process than he did with stars Lance Stephenson and Sebastian Telfair. He’s closer with Whitehead and his family. He taught the kid in junior high for two years and has been his coach in high school and travel ball.

“I usually lay back with recruiting,” Morton said. “I don’t want to interfere with the family, but [Whitehead’s mother Ericka Rambert] put me up there so I had to make sure things would be right for him.”

Whitehead believes things worked out just fine. He’s going to a school that wants him and appears to be on the rise. Whitehead is all for Morton possibly joining as he hopes to become the face of the Pirates program.

“That would make me even more comfortable than I am now,” he said of Morton continuing to be his coach.

Believe what you heard from Morton — and also what you didn’t for that matter. He never denied he was leaving and never said anything untrue. If Seton Hall comes calling as expected, Morton’s time at Lincoln will end — just like he told us.

Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.

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