Back from Injury, Promising Junior Stephen Brown Helps Marist Beat Brother Rice in Battle of Pulaski
The Battle of Pulaski: A Night of Community and Competition
The Battle of Pulaski is about community. Two South Side institutions, Brother Rice and Marist, meet up every season and play in a packed, hot gym, paying tribute to Andrew Weishar, a Brother Rice graduate who died from cancer in 2010. His family has ties to both schools, and the foundation his family created in his memory has raised more than $3 million to help families fight cancer.
Marist’s Stephen Brown Returns from Injury
It’s always a night of fun, and Tuesday provided even more. Marist junior Stephen Brown, one of the state’s most tantalizing talents, is back on the court for the RedHawks, having recently returned after an injury during the football season. Brown, a 6-7 forward, says he’s at about 85%. However, he still was able to provide some memorable moments of athleticism, scoring 11 points to help No. 21 Marist (19-2) come back to beat visiting Brother Rice 56-51.
RedHawks’ Comeback
Brother Rice (17-3) led 33-23 at halftime and was ahead by 13 points late in the third quarter. The teams have similar records, but the Crusaders have faced a much tougher schedule and entered as favorites. It seemed they were about to pull away for good before Marist turned the game around with a 15-2 burst. Brown, Karson Thomas, Marquis Vance, and Adoni Vassilakis made key plays during the comeback.
Key Players Step Up
Vassilakis scored 11 points and Thomas added 10. Marist made all 10 of its free throws in the final three minutes to keep Brother Rice at bay. “We were struggling on doing the little things right in the first half,” Vassilakis said. “We fixed that, and it turned everything around for us. It’s always big when you step out on the court after halftime and hear that crowd. It helped us feel we could get back in this.”
Crusaders’ Struggles
Citadel recruit Marcos Gonzales led Brother Rice with 22 points. Jack Weigus (18 points) drained five three-pointers in the first half to help the Crusaders build their halftime lead. Marist was able to contain him in the second half. “He’s a good shooter,” Marist coach Brian Hynes said. “And Gonzales may be the best player we face all season. He’s so hard to stop.”
Looking Ahead
Marist plays at St. Viator on Friday, then takes on undefeated Waubonsie Valley on Saturday. It’s the biggest week of the regular season for the RedHawks. “This gives our kids confidence we can play with the top teams,” Hynes said. “We lost to Benet in overtime and had a tough time with Centralia. Our kids needed a game like this.”
Conclusion
Marist’s comeback win over Brother Rice was a testament to the team’s resilience and determination. With Stephen Brown back on the court, the RedHawks are looking to make a strong push in the second half of the season. The team’s next two games will be crucial in determining their playoff seeding.
FAQs
Q: What is the significance of the Battle of Pulaski?
A: The Battle of Pulaski is a community event that brings together two South Side institutions, Brother Rice and Marist, to play in a packed, hot gym, paying tribute to Andrew Weishar, a Brother Rice graduate who died from cancer in 2010.
Q: How did Stephen Brown perform in his return from injury?
A: Brown, a 6-7 forward, scored 11 points and provided some memorable moments of athleticism, despite being at about 85% after an injury during the football season.
Q: What was the key to Marist’s comeback win?
A: Marist’s comeback was sparked by a 15-2 burst, with key plays from Brown, Karson Thomas, Marquis Vance, and Adoni Vassilakis. The team also made all 10 of its free throws in the final three minutes to keep Brother Rice at bay.
