With key players lost to graduation, Marist was expected to suffer through some growing pains this season.
But the RedHawks (18-6) have been playing at a high level most of the season, going 5-1 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference.
Coach Gene Nolan directed much of the credit for the RedHawks’ superb season to his seniors.
Namely, Jeremiah Ferguson, Bradley Hill and Brian Barry.
“It all starts with your senior leadership,” Nolan said. “Our three seniors have done an excellent job, not only by what they do on the floor, but by their leadership, work ethic and how they handle themselves. They’ve been great.”
So have a pair of juniors, Kevin Lerma and Chamar Hawkins.
It’s added up to Marist putting itself in position to claim bragging rights in the ESCC. The RedHawks are in a three-way tie for second place and just one game behind league-leading Notre Dame.
“Our kids are so excited and we’re excited for them,” Nolan said. “They’ve been working so hard.”
Nolan hopes his team’s best basketball is on the horizon. The remaining conference schedule is challenging — the RedHawks travel Friday to Joliet Catholic, and March Madness is right around the corner.
“We’ve put ourselves in position to compete for the conference championship,” Nolan said. “We’re excited for our kids to possibly experience great things. But at this point of the season, we have to give more than we’ve ever given.”
Rocky top
Thornridge coach Rocky Hill is mostly pleased with his team’s record, considering this is his first year on the job and the top scorer from last season, Darrion Robinson, transferred to Thornwood. He also knows the Falcons could be even better.
The Falcons (10-11) have shown a tendency to blow leads in the fourth quarter. Case in point Friday against Thornton. Thornridge squandered a nine-point in the final eight minutes and lost 56-51.
“If games ended after the third quarter, we’d be 15-3,” Hill said. “Other than a few games, our problems generally surface in the fourth quarter. We’ve had trouble closing out games. But this is a special group of kids. They’re determined to have a good season.”
One of those kids is Billy Randle, who is averaging 19 points and eight rebounds.
“Billy is playing at an All-Area level,” Hill said. “He’s been very consistent on both ends of the floor for us.”
Another senior, Carly Henry, has been a valuable playmaker, leader and scorer.
“Carly is one of the best point guards around,” Hill said.
The player that has surprised Hill most, though, is Fuad Ogunseye. Not necessarily from a scoring standpoint, but by his ability to steal the basketball from unsuspecting opponents.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Hill said. “He’s a master thief at stealing the ball. It’s like he has bionic hands. He just rips the ball away.”
Randle, Henry and Ogunseye, along with the rest of the Falcons, hope to finish the regular season on a high note and carry momentum into the postseason.
“We’d like to get on a little roll here,” Hill said. “I really believe if we can put together a complete game and finish strong, it would do wonders for our confidence. Once that happens, we’ll be a more dangerous team. We’ve showed we can compete with the top teams in the area.”
Player of the Week
Taylor Adway of Hillcrest is the Daily Southtown Boys Basketball Player of the Week. A senior center, the 6-8 Adway scored 16 points, pulled down 14 rebounds and blocked 13 shots on Friday during a 64-56 win over T.F. North.
Twitter @disabato
