Ryan Lawlor, a college baseball recruit, doesn’t look out of place on a basketball court for Marist.
The 6-foot-4 senior forward understands that, sometimes, competition for competition’s sake is a means to an end. And for Lawlor, that equates to doing valuable little things for the RedHawks.
“Usually, when I get the ball, I see space,” Lawlor said. “Once I knock down those shots, the offense opens up driving lanes for the slashers on our team.
“We’re really successful with the other players on the court when I shoot it.”
Lawlor took his shot Friday night, converting two 3-pointers and finishing with eight points to spark host Marist to a 64-45 East Suburban Catholic Conference victory over St. Viator in Chicago.
Senior forward Stephen Brown tallied 24 points, eight rebounds and two steals for the RedHawks (26-5, 6-2), who had eight players score. Senior guards Adoni Vassilakis added seven points, while TJ Tate contributed six points and four assists.
Lawlor also had five rebounds, three assists and two steals. His first 3-pointer ignited a 17-1 run in the first quarter — exactly what Marist needed, according to junior forward Kendall Meyers.
“Ryan’s just our spark guy,” Meyers said of Lawlor. “He does everything for us.
“He’s that anchor for us, a big guy who can rebound and play different positions. You need a guy like that coming off the bench who’s not going to be scared and is always ready for the occasion.”
Marist coach Brian Hynes elevated Lawlor to varsity at the end of his sophomore season.
“He’s a coach’s dream,” Hynes said. “We are so lucky to have somebody like that coming off the bench. He brings so much energy. He rebounds, he plays hard and he’s just aggressive.”
Lawlor was one of seven seniors who played in his final home game Friday night.
A middle infielder and St. Mary’s of Minnesota baseball recruit, he combines excellent size at with an instinct for collecting offensive rebounds and being a secondary playmaker.
He juices up the attack as typically the first player off the bench. Following a Christmas knee injury to senior forward Karson Thomas, Lawlor was thrust into the starting lineup.
The experience underscored his value as a connecting piece of the offense.
“I like starting a little bit, but coming off the bench is better for me,” Lawlor said. “I like being the spark off the bench.”
His reputation as a knockdown shooter is his signature achievement. His earliest coach was his mother, Jennifer, who played college basketball at Quincy.
“I’ve been with her my whole life just working on my shot and staying consistent,” he said. “I also stay a lot after practice and might get up to 250 shots off.
“You stay consistent and the results will show. The mental gear is a big part.”
His mother also introduced him to visualization techniques popularized by Olympic athletes.
“My mom said it’s as good as getting shots up in a game,” Lawlor said. “You shoot 250 shots in your brain, with the right fundamentals, touch, release.
“You use your brain to focus on the mechanics and that translates into the game.”
His younger brother, Collin, is a sophomore basketball and baseball player at Marist. The final stage of Ryan’s basketball career, meanwhile, shifts to the start of the state playoffs.
The RedHawks are the second seed of the Class 4A Joliet West Sectional. They open up the postseason with a Wednesday regional semifinal at ninth-seeded Rich Township (17-12).
The Raptors ended Marist’s season last season in a sectional semifinal.
“I’ve had some great memories, especially this season, winning the Christmas tournament at Centralia,” Lawlor said. “Losing never sits well with me.
“Going to get food after the game or staying after practice to work out together, I never get enough of these guys.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
