Five ways Marist turned into a postseason juggernaut

Once Marist took care of business in the lead up and arrived in Champaign with its very talented roster and 31 wins, the idea of capturing the program’s first-ever state championship became very real. When the RedHawks ultimately did, it wasn’t a stunner.

But what no one saw coming was Marist’s domination in doing so.

Although I believed Marist was, from top to bottom, one of the three most talented teams all season — and picked them to reach Champaign when state tournament play began — what developed in Champaign was not in the forecast.

By that I mean the control, command and ease the RedHawks had in dismantling York and then beating the defending state champs Benet, a team it had lost to in late February, in the state championship.

There were some obvious strengths and positive developments when it came to Marist as the season played out. Getting healthy mattered, mostly from a depth and competitive standpoint, and the impact of Charles Barnes, an All-Area performer, was clear to see.

But here are five ways and reasons Marist turned itself into a postseason juggernaut.

1. Marist’s athletic attributes led to a different level of defense.

The size, length, strength and athleticism of the RedHawks really stood out and became difference-making.

Those aforementioned strengths raised the level of its defense, becoming Marist’s identity. When teams guard at this level, they are never too far from a championship, and it’s why this RedHawks team looked far different from past versions.

As a result, coach Brian Hynes’ group took over and suffocated both York and Benet. The RedHawks played with purpose defensively while their physical attributes overwhelmed foes at times.

Whether trying to speed up York or settling in to stop Benet’s balance and versatility on offense, the scoring opportunities became scarce against the Marist defense. Hynes’ gameplan also impressed and was followed and executed.

It’s why York shot 14 of 42 from the field (33 percent) and Benet a paltry 28 percent. The Redwings made 11 shots the entire game. This is a Benet team that scored 60 or more points 23 times this season.

2. Marist’s schedule was better than people thought.

Marist had a terrific season a year ago. The RedHawks won a school record 31 games and reached a sectional final. But if there was a knock on last year’s RedHawks, it was that the schedule lacked marquee non-conference matchups in preparation for the state tournament.

This season’s schedule was a step up, despite continued questions about quality wins and schedule strength.

Marist played two good out-of-state opponents in Sidwell Friends from Washington, DC, and Webster Groves from Missouri, traditionally strong programs that both won 20-plus games this season.

There were losses to very good teams: three-time state champ DePaul and a pair of ranked conference foes in defending 4A champ Benet and St. Patrick.

The RedHawks beat a talented and ranked Evanston at the Centralia Holiday Tournament. They then took down Centralia, something that’s never easy to do in Centralia’s gym. It was a Centralia team that finished 32-2 on the season.

There was a win over ranked Waukegan, and they throttled Hyde Park, a 3A supersectional team, by 28 points.

This veteran team received — and passed — more tests than given credit for during the season.

3. The regional championship win over Rich meant a lot — and should have been a warning for all.

The regional championship matchup with Rich was billed and viewed as one of the top regional title games in the state.

Rich, even as a No. 9 seed, was playing its best basketball of the season. The Raptors returned its best player in recent weeks, played the game on its home floor and knocked out Marist the year before. Coach Lou Adams’ team was the ultimate dangerous low seed. There were upset vibes floating in the air in the south suburbs on regional championship night.

The RedHawks made it a laugher, crushing Rich 82-54. Although Marist was supposed to win, the way it did should have opened eyes and led you to believe that maybe this team was on a mission and could reach its ceiling.

What that win over Rich certainly did was provide a sigh of relief and a massive confidence boost for this team.

With the state title run now in the rearview mirror, coach Brian Hynes’ concern with that particular game can be detailed. In talking with Hynes after that Rich win, there was a definite concern and worry — even as the No. 2 sectional seed — heading into that matchup.

He called it a “relief” to have that win over Rich in the regional championship done and dusted.

That dominant play continued and was prevalent throughout the postseason. Remember, the RedHawks encountered just one tight game in their entire state tournament run — a 56-53 win over Peoria Richwoods in the super.

4. Stephen Brown’s impact and role.

The career of Stephen Brown was an interesting one since the day he entered high school as a much-talked-about freshman.

There were some who ranked Brown as the top-ranked freshman in the class, so there were huge expectations placed on the kid from the jump. He had a productive freshman season as he tried to shed a big man/5-man label and become more perimeter oriented to enhance his college prospects.

While there was always promise and upside as he progressed through the years, splitting time with football and injuries certainly slowed down his basketball development. Ultimately, he chose football and signed with North Carolina State.

Then it was about finding his way as an impactful presence for this particular 2025-2026 team. He no longer needed to live up to any individual expectations on the basketball floor.

Although he put up nice numbers in the state tournament run, better and more impactful than at any time during his senior year, it was more than just statistics when it came to Brown’s influence on this team. He settled in and played to his strengths.

Brown’s engagement, activity level and presence, combined with his tremendous athletic qualities, had a profound impact down the stretch.

5. Marist was always better than people thought.

Marist began the season ranked No. 4 in the Sun-Times Super 25. That’s an indication of the talent and depth this team possessed.

And then somehow along the way the RedHawks fell out of favor during the regular season, both in perception and in the rankings.

There always appeared to be either questions or doubt when it came to Marist.

But the RedHawks really did nothing to disappoint for months. They didn’t lose to an in-state team until Jan. 24.

They were out of sight, out of mind during the holidays while making their annual trek to the southern part of the state, but that two-month run to start the season included an impressive Centralia Holiday Tournament title run over ranked teams.

Late January losses to DePaul Prep and St. Patrick pushed Marist outside the top 10. They didn’t return for over a month as the RedHawks entered postseason play ranked No. 11.

When watching Marist closely — very closely — and all it brought to the table with veteran guards, the size and length, versatility, improved defense and a bonafide difference-maker in Charles Barnes, it should not have been a huge surprise that the RedHawks would be playing in Champaign.

And then once you’re there? Never underestimate the confidence that comes and the transformation that can occur by winning five straight high-pressure, win-or-go-home, state tournament games.

When you watch a team you sometimes need to look at its very best and how that best stacks up against the rest. When it came to Marist, its best was good enough.