CHAMPAIGN — Senior guard Marcos Gonzales guided the most successful boys basketball team in Brother Rice history.
And while it ended heartbreakingly short of the ultimate goal, Gonzales knows this group has earned a special place in Crusaders lore.
“Obviously, we wanted the big trophy, but this is still a legendary moment in Brother Rice history and we’ll always be remembered for what we did starting back in June, through the fall running the track,” Gonzales said. “We put in the work and this is the outcome.
“It wasn’t what we wanted, but it’s still something to be remembered for.”
The Crusaders got to the brink of the program’s first state title Saturday night but let a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter slip away in dropping a 55-52 decision to DePaul Prep in double overtime in the Class 3A championship game at the State Farm Center.
It’s the third straight state title for DePaul Prep (33-4), which became the fourth team in Illinois High School Association history to accomplish that feat.
Gonzales, a Citadel recruit, led Brother Rice (31-7) with 24 points, including all 13 of his team’s points in the fourth quarter. He also added eight rebounds.
KJ Morris finished with 11 points, Jack Weigus scored 10 points and Max Justic contributed six points and six rebounds for the Crusaders, who earned the first state trophy in program history.
After going on a game-deciding 18-0 run through the third and fourth quarters of Thursday’s 48-33 semifinal win over St. Patrick, Brother Rice seemed intent on repeating that script.
The Crusaders put together a 13-0 surge over the final three minutes of the third quarter and first three minutes of the fourth, building a 33-24 lead. Gonzales scored nine of the points.
DePaul Prep rallied, though, flustering the Crusaders with a full-court press. Rykan Woo was fouled on a 3-point attempt and hit all three free throws to force a 40-40 tie with 42 seconds left.
That brought on OT, and Brother Rice coach Conte Stamas was reminded of his team’s 53-52 win at DePaul Prep on Jan. 24.
“It was very similar to the first time,” he said. “We had about an eight-point lead the first time and they started pressing and we kind of held on. This time, we had a (nine-point) lead.
“I just wish we did a better job against the pressure.”
After each team scored three points in the first OT, DePaul scored the first four of double overtime.
A 3-pointer from Weigus pulled the Crusaders within 50-49 with 30 seconds remaining, but Rashaun Porter followed with a dunk, got fouled and converted the 3-point play. And the Rams were on their way to the three-peat.
Nonetheless, it was an unforgettable only season at Brother Rice for Weigus, who transferred from Hinsdale South.
“It’s just been amazing and I’m so thankful for everyone on this team,” he said. “From day one, I was always accepted. I always felt like I belonged. These guys made it really easy for me to just be myself. Through all the ups and downs, they always picked me up and I couldn’t be more thankful.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else than playing alongside my best friends. It’s been the best time of my life.”
Caden Workman said the Crusaders’ bond took them to great heights.
“Our team chemistry, coach talks about it all the time,” Workman said. “I feel like this is the closest team I’ve ever been a part of.
“When it got difficult in the playoffs and something wasn’t going our way, instead of backing down, we all came together as one group, and that’s what allowed us to go on this run.”
A run that will go down in history.
“It’s not the outcome we wanted,” Gonzales said. “But I told these guys, ‘We’ll be remembered for as long as we live.’”
