Sitting out the first month of the season due to a broken collarbone suffered while playing football, Marist’s Stephen Brown could not wait to get back on the basketball court.
While his teammates had success without him, Brown — a 6-foot-8 junior forward with offers from Illinois and Miami — knew he could make the RedHawks an elite team.
“The toughest part was seeing my guys on the court, watching them play the sport that I love,” Brown said. “It just hurt watching them play and knowing I couldn’t contribute.
“I bring a different energy to the team. We’ve all got energy and my team is great, but I wanted to bring more energy when I got back.”
Brown’s ability to be a difference maker was evident Tuesday night. He scored 11 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead host Marist to a 56-51 come-from-behind win over Brother Rice in the Battle of Pulaski in Chicago.
Adoni Vassilakis also scored 11 points, while Karson Thomas finished with 10 points and six rebounds for Marist (19-2), which beat the rival Crusaders for the first time since 2018. TJ Tate tallied seven points, Ryan Lawlor added six points and Marquis Vance chipped in with six points and seven rebounds.
The Citadel recruit Marcos Gonzales led Brother Rice (17-3) with 22 points and five rebounds. Jack Weigus scored 18 points on six 3-pointers and Caden Workman ended up with seven points and 11 rebounds.
Brown, who had three catches for 33 yards in Marist’s 34-27 overtime win over the Crusaders in football last fall, was thrilled to double up on Battle of Pulaski victories.
Marist’s Stephen Brown (5) moves through the lane on his way to the basket against Brother Rice during a nonconference game in Chicago on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
“It feels great,” Brown said. “I was really hoping to do it sometime in my high school career.”
Brother Rice started fast Tuesday, jumping to a 25-12 lead after one quarter. With the RedHawks down 33-23 at halftime, Brown helped them to start chipping away by scoring seven points in the third quarter.
The RedHawks turned it on in the fourth quarter and Brown delivered a huge momentum-shifting play when he blocked a shot to erase what looked like an easy layup for Brother Rice.
Marist coach Brian Hynes called it “the turning point of the game.”
“I think that got our crowd going,” Hynes said. “I haven’t coached many kids who could make that play. Stephen’s always going to be the best athlete on the court.”
Marist’s Karson Thomas (4) converts a layup against Brother Rice during a nonconference game in Chicago on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Thomas, playing in the rivalry game for the first time after transferring from Lincoln-Way East,