Fresh off a 12-point victory against rival Brother Rice, the Marist Redhawks played host to your Nazareth Academy Roadrunners on Friday night, looking for their second conference win and fourteenth overall. Led by explosive guards Chamar Hawkins, Kevin Lerma and Jeremiah Ferguson, the Redhawks seemed to be in line for an easy victory, but the Roadrunners clearly had other plans. With strong play from Michael Brooks, Kevin Connelly, Christian Davis, John McGarry and others, Nazareth made the opponent fight for the victory – and although Marist got what they wanted, the Roadrunners nonetheless left the arena with many reasons to be proud of their effort.

Marist started off the game with three quick three-pointers from senior guard Brian Holland, giving them an 11-7 lead early in the first quarter. However, Nazareth kept themselves in the game with baskets from senior starters Brooks, Connelly and Evan McLaughlin, and headed into the second quarter down only 17-14.

Brooks again carried the Roadrunner offense in the second quarter, hitting back-to-back threes to tie the game at 26. The Redhawks pulled away, but Roadrunner sophomore Christian Davis hit a quick three and a layup to keep the deficit at only 2 points. Marist’s Bradley Hill then knocked down a buzzer-beating triple to boost the Redhawks’ halftime lead to 5, but the game was still up for grabs.

Nazareth came out of the gate strong, again tying the game at 36. Strong all-around play from both squads kept the game tight, and Marist headed into the fourth quarter with a 4-point lead that seemed all but secure.

Davis hit two clutch shots at the start of the period, once again giving the Roadrunners a tie game at 50. However, an 18-9 Marist run from thereon out handed Nazareth their eighth loss of the season, dropping them to a 1-3 record in conference play. But through much talent individual talent and strong coaching, the Roadrunners were still able to hang on with one of the top teams in the East Suburban Catholic, making them all but done for the year – and with nine games left in the season, there’s undoubtedly enough time for the Roadrunners to start a run that can define their year.

Key Players (Nazareth)

Michael Brooks – 17 points

Kevin Connelly – 13 points

Christian Davis – 13 points

Evan McLaughlin – 9 points

Key Players (Marist)

Chamar Hawkins – 17 points

Kevin Lerma – 16 points, 9 rebounds

Brian Holland – 14 points

Jeremiah Ferguson – 8 points