Marian Catholic's campaign in the Sectional semifinal concluded with a narrow 56-54 defeat to Lemont at Brother Rice High School. The match was marked by a dramatic finish, despite an impressive showing from senior shooting guard Zack Sharkey.
According to reports, Marian Catholic entered the game with a commendable 26-7 record, having recently triumphed over Chicago Perspectives/Leadership in the Regional Championship. Their winning streak extended to three games. Lemont, boasting an undefeated 23-0 conference record, faced significant resistance from Marian Catholic.
Sharkey delivered a remarkable performance, scoring 32 points and showcasing his shooting prowess and determination. Senior point guard Delan Davis also contributed significantly, maintaining competitiveness for Marian Catholic throughout the intense contest.
Trailing 12-9 after the first quarter, Marian Catholic took the lead by halftime with a score of 30-28, largely due to Sharkey's offensive efforts. However, Lemont regained a slight advantage in the third quarter. Despite this setback, Marian Catholic mounted a strong comeback in the fourth quarter.
With only 11 seconds left on the clock, Sharkey made a critical three-pointer that put Marian Catholic ahead 54-53. This moment energized both the team's bench and their supporters. However, Lemont's Gabe Sularski responded by driving into the lane with just 3.9 seconds remaining, scoring a layup and drawing a foul. His subsequent free throw secured Lemont's victory and dashed Marian Catholic's hopes of advancing to the Sectional final.
Despite this loss, Marian Catholic reflected positively on their season. Sharkey highlighted the team's sense of community and dedication as key factors in their playoff success. Associate head coach Julian Hardy commended both Sharkey and Davis for their leadership roles during the season. Hardy described Sharkey’s performance as "one of the greatest high school basketball performances" he had witnessed.
Looking ahead, while this season ended in disappointment for Marian Catholic, there is optimism about future prospects given the promising young talent within their ranks.