Before the Class 3A boys basketball state semifinals, St. Joseph senior guard Jordan Ash called Damien McIntosh for advice.
McIntosh was on the court for St. Joseph’s first state championship in 1999 when the Chargers beat Warren to win the Class AA state title. The 33-year-old McIntosh, a Bellwood resident who works as an engineer for a security protection company, has attended several St. Joseph games this season.
McIntosh said he told Ash, “Championships are won on defense.”
“Brandon has talked about the importance of playing defense, listening to your coaches and being a team leader,” Ash said. “Damien preaches defense and he focuses on the things that you can’t teach. We’ve made it [downstate] and we want to make them [the 1999 team] proud, but we haven’t finished the job.”
St. Joseph defeated Rockford Lutheran 55-38 on Friday to advance to Saturday’s state final against Belleville Althoff. The game is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.
McIntosh was there to see the win.
“This is really important. This is my first time back here since 1999,” McIntosh said. “I’ve come to support them. I wanted to let them know that we will continue the tradition. We’ve got their back.”
McIntosh was the only member of the 1999 championship team to make the trip to Peoria for Friday’s state semifinal . He wore a white baseball hat honoring the 1999 state title team, which was signed by all the players and coaching staff. McIntosh said he will be joined Saturday by former state championship teammate Brandon Watkins, who scored a game-high 19 points in the 61-51 win over Warren.
“We made some good memories [here],” McIntosh said. “I will be happy if we can make some new ones.”
McIntosh remains connected to the program and the school.
His daughter De’Asiah McIntosh played for St. Joseph’s sophomore girls basketball team this season and will compete in track and field in the spring.
Damien McIntosh attended St. Joseph’s games at the Proviso West Holiday Tournament in December. He also spoke to the team before its 39-38 win over St. Patrick in the Class 3A Hoffman Estates Supersectional on Tuesday. He was in the locker room afterward celebrating with coaches and handing out high-fives to several players.
“When I talked to them, I don’t only talk to them about winning,” Damien McIntosh said. “I focus on goals. I give them insight. They listen to me. I’m impressed with them.”
Twitter: @geomwilcox
