Marshall returns to Champaign for the first time since Hoop Dreams and wins a 1A semifinal

CHAMPAIGN — It’s been 35 years since Arthur Agee’s Marshall team, documented in the movie "Hoop Dreams," lost to Peoria Manual in the state semifinals.

On Thursday, The Commandos returned to Champaign for the first time since that famously chronicled 1991 season.

And this time, Marshall got the win. The Commandos beat Eastland 66-38 in the Class 1A semifinals at State Farm Center. Marshall will face Goreville in the state championship game on Saturday.

“It felt great out there,” Commandos senior Quinton Gibson said. “At first I was a little shaky with the bigger court, but after we got going the chemistry got better and we had a good time with all that space.”

Gibson led Marshall (23-10) with 20 points and six rebounds.

“Quinton played an excellent game defensively as well,” Commandos coach Darrin Laye said. “We held their best player to seven points. It is a testament to his high energy.”

Parker Krogman, Eastland’s best player, picked up two fouls in the first five minutes and finished with seven points.

“Obviously I had a guy in my shorts the whole game,” Krogman said. “Not that it hasn’t happened [before]. But I don’t think I handled that as well as I should have.”

Eastland scored just eight points in the first half and shot 13 of 45 in the game.

“It started with the pressure that comes from the point guard,” Laye said. “The last couple of games [junior Edward Humes] has been tremendous with turning other teams point guards and forcing them to be a little helter skelter. He’s been amazing for us hawking the basketball.”

Marshall assisted on 18 of its 29 baskets. Junior guard Rayvon Miles contributed 14 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and six steals.

The heightened atmosphere and large court is often difficult for high school teams to acclimate to in the first quarter. Myles’ passing provided easy buckets for Gibson in the first few minutes to help the Commandos off to a strong start.

“They are finally understanding what we mean when we talk about discipline and playing for each other,” Laye said. “It is all about growth now. They’ve been hearing me say it all year. When we create for each other it is so much easier.”

Sophomore guard DJ Laye Jr. added eight points and four assists for Marshall. Amari Kennedy (eight points) and Semere Williams (five points) came off the bench and scored in the second quarter to help the Commandos establish a 20-3 lead.

Marshall finished third in Class 3A in 2010 and won the Class 3A state title in 2008. Both of those tournaments were held in Peoria. The Commandos also won titles in 1958 and 1960.

“[Winning on Saturday] would be huge for the program,” Darrin Laye said. “This is a legendary program and we get so much support. There are a lot of alumni around. [Agee] comes back. There is a buzz around the building. We set out to bring that tradition back to Marshall.”