Marian Catholic vs. Homewood-Flossmoor: Key Takeaways
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This past week Marian Catholic hosted Homewood-Flossmoor during the Chicago Heights Classic Thanksgiving tournament, an entertaining matchup as the two schools are only separated by four miles. Marian Catholic injected an element of excitement into the game, but the Spartans’…
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Continue ReadingThis past week Marian Catholic hosted Homewood-Flossmoor during the Chicago Heights Classic Thanksgiving tournament, an entertaining matchup as the two schools are only separated by four miles. Marian Catholic injected an element of excitement into the game, but the Spartans’ late fourth-quarter surge eventually lost momentum, allowing Homewood-Flossmoor to clinch a well-deserved victory. Jonah Weathers Jonah Weathers 6'3" | SG Marian Catholic | 2024 State IL played a pivotal role in keeping the Spartans’ offensive engine running, finishing with an impressive 18 points. Zack Sharkey‘s crucial fourth-quarter baskets breathed life into Marian Catholic’s efforts down the stretch, contributing 12 points. Despite their best efforts, the Spartans struggled to overcome the Vikings’ all-around scoring prowess and defensive peskiness.
Heard’s all-around effectiveness
Bryce Heard Bryce Heard 6'6" | SG Homewood Flossmoor | 2025 State #86 Nation IL ‘s exceptional talent is widely recognized, and in this game, his prowess was evident, establishing him as the standout player on the court. Heard showcased remarkable versatility, displaying comfort with his back to the basket. He executed flawless high-post fadeaways and demonstrated the ability to sense his defender’s positioning, effectively attacking. Even when confronted in the post, Heard showcased a graceful pivot foot, creating space and contorting his body into advantageous positions.
His offensive repertoire extended to dynamic drives from the corner, where he executed acrobatic finishes with reverse layups. Notably, Heard exhibited a smooth shooting stroke beyond the arc, sinking two three-pointers during the contest. Defensively, his expansive wingspan proved instrumental in closing passing lanes and contributing to deflections. Furthermore, his extraordinary athleticism was on full display as he elevated within the paint, blocking a shot attempt by the 6’7″ James Bullock James Bullock 6'7" | PF Marian Catholic | 2024 State IL at the rim. Heard’s all-around performance solidified his status as a formidable force on both ends of the court.
Jonah Weather’s handled the offensive load
The Spartans’ offensive rhythm took its time to develop, finally finding cohesion in the final quarter. However,
Jonah Weathers
Jonah
Weathers
6'3" | SG
Marian Catholic | 2024
State
IL
emerged as a relentless force, refusing to let the slow start hinder his aggressive scoring mindset. With an impressive 18 points, nearly half of the team’s total, Weathers showcased consistency across all quarters. His offensive prowess was evident in his adept drives, maintaining a dynamic and purposeful approach while constantly on the move.
Weathers excelled at navigating defensive gaps, applying pressure to Homewood-Flossmoor’s defense through collapses. While not relying on three-pointers, he demonstrated his shooting capability by connecting on one. Notably, Weathers leveraged subtle yet effective ball and head fakes throughout the game. These deceptive moves consistently caught defenders off guard, allowing him to creatively attack the rim.
It’s essential to highlight that without Weathers’ offensive spark and significant contributions, the game could have easily slipped away from the Spartans early on. His scoring tenacity played a crucial role in keeping the contest within reach.
H-F guard play was productive
Heard wasn’t the sole standout in terms of scoring, with three of his teammates also delivering impressive double-digit performances. The 2024 prospect,
Gianni Cobb
Gianni
Cobb
6'0" | PG
Homewood Flossmoor | 2024
State
IL
, showcased exceptional prowess in driving past defenders with a quick step off the bounce. His ability to penetrate the defense, coupled with a finesse finish at the rim, was complemented by a noteworthy deep three-pointer during the second quarter, contributing to his impressive 12-point tally. Cobb’s court awareness also shone through with brilliantly executed split-second passes.
Carson Brownfield Carson Brownfield 6'5" | SF Homewood Flosmoor | 2024 State IL , a robust 6’3″ guard, asserted dominance around the rim throughout the game. His physicality while driving to the basket allowed him to overpower and assertively challenge defenders from within. Brownfield’s offensive prowess was evident in his ability to secure a low position, quickly transitioning into a downhill attack mode, ultimately amassing a noteworthy 14 points. A highlight from Brownfield’s performance occurred in the first quarter, showcasing stellar help-side defense and concluding the possession with a rim-protecting block.
Jayden Tyler Jayden Tyler 6'0" | PG Homewood Flossmoor | 2025 State IL , a 2025 point guard, demonstrated swift direction changes and a relentless attacking mentality, accumulating a respectable 8 points, including a spot-up three-pointer. Beyond his scoring contributions, Tyler’s all-around efforts were on full display. His tenacious on-ball defense, characterized by active hands and disruptive play, posed challenges for Marian Catholic’s guards. A standout moment occurred in the third quarter when Tyler, despite a height disadvantage, executed a perfectly timed block on a driving Spartan in transition, showcasing his defensive prowess.