Marcos Gonzales and Brother Rice react to 3A state runner-up finish. ‘We put in the work and this is the outcome.’

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.’”

Topics

Jack Weigus, who grew up taking 3-pointers, sparks Brother Rice past St. Patrick in state semis. ‘What you dream of.’

CHAMPAIGN — The 3-pointer that Jack Weigus hit at the third-quarter buzzer Friday night was his 92nd of the season for Brother Rice. Knocking down a shot from long distance is pretty routine for ...
Yahoo Sports - 3d
Alter girls basketball finishes runner-up in state championship

The Alter High School girls basketball team finished runner-up in the OHSAA) Division IV Championship.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Robertson dispatches Santa Fe Indian School 64-35

ALBUQUERQUE — The date Jesse James Gonzales has had circled on the calendar is finally here. And he's got the matchup he wanted. As the starting quarterback on Robertson's football team and the ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Express boys place second at NYSPHSAA Bowling Championships

Elmira High School's boys team put up a big score at the state tournament in securing a runner-up finish in Division 1.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Barret's Shot and Today's Semifinals at Boys State Basketball

How about that, me and Barret Boesiger joined by fate. OK, not so much the wrong gym, I had a mission, but while our boy Barret was burying that three-quarters court game-winning field goal I was ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Class 3A boys basketball: Millwood defeats Cascia Hall to win state championship

Millwood won its 18th state championship in program history with a 60-57 win over Cascia Hall in the Class 3A boys basketball title game Saturday at State Fair Arena.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Sherwood boys basketball falls in title game

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (DC News Now) — After an incredible season in the Maryland 3A, the Sherwood boys basketball team fell in the state title game to Baltimore City College Saturday, 70-61. “We had a ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
PHOTO GALLERY | 'We didn't quit': Central Cambria girls rally, but fall short in Class 3A quarterfinal

NORTH HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Central Cambria High School girls basketball team implemented a spirited, sometimes frantic pace while cutting a 14-point deficit to four points in the final minute of ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
State basketball roundup: Willamette, Springfield girls; Thurston boys finish seasons

Three Eugene-area teams finished their seasons Saturday at their respective state tournaments. Here are the results
Yahoo Sports - 1d

Marcos Gonzales and Brother Rice react to 3A state runner-up finish. ‘We put in the work and this is the outcome.’

Topics

Related

Jack Weigus, who grew up taking 3-pointers, sparks Brother Rice past St. Patrick in state semis. ‘What you dream of.’

Alter girls basketball finishes runner-up in state championship

Robertson dispatches Santa Fe Indian School 64-35

Express boys place second at NYSPHSAA Bowling Championships

Barret's Shot and Today's Semifinals at Boys State Basketball

Class 3A boys basketball: Millwood defeats Cascia Hall to win state championship

Sherwood boys basketball falls in title game

PHOTO GALLERY | 'We didn't quit': Central Cambria girls rally, but fall short in Class 3A quarterfinal

State basketball roundup: Willamette, Springfield girls; Thurston boys finish seasons

More from Yahoo Sports

Pat Connaughton/Blake Wesley NBA Tracker: March 10-16

Alabama basketball’s March Madness opponent is Green Bay to open NCAA Tournament bracket

Can Notre Dame women reach Final Four in March Madness? Our prediction

Players Championship live updates: How to watch Rory McIlroy-J.J. Spaun playoff, format

Broncos trade up for RB Ashton Jeanty in NFL mock draft

More in Sports

Pat Connaughton/Blake Wesley NBA Tracker: March 10-16

Alabama basketball’s March Madness opponent is Green Bay to open NCAA Tournament bracket

Can Notre Dame women reach Final Four in March Madness? Our prediction

Players Championship live updates: How to watch Rory McIlroy-J.J. Spaun playoff, format

Broncos trade up for RB Ashton Jeanty in NFL mock draft