Marshall High School boys basketball team's state championship brings pride to West Side

When the boys' basketball team at John Marshall Metropolitan High School took home the Class 1A state title last month, it was bigger than just one school.

“This championship wasn’t just for us, it was for the West Side of Chicago,” head coach Darrin Laye said Thursday afternoon, when the squad was honored with a celebration at the school.

Laye credited the victory, the school's first basketball championship since 2008, to the players’ hard work and dedication. Marshall won the 3A title in 2008 and also captured state championships in 1958 and 1960.

“These kids deserve it,” Laye said.

Students, faculty, parents and even alumni packed the auditorium of the East Garfield Park school, welcoming the team with applause and cheers.

“When that buzzer rang it was a great feeling,” senior Quinton Gibson said before the celebration.

Gibson said his team kept each other motivated to continue to put in the work to succeed.

“We’re a family,” Gibson said. “We all got each other. They’re like my brothers.”

The Marshall Commandos came from 10 points down to defeat Goreville 52-44 at the State Farm Center in Champaign.

After the win, Laye said he finally felt a sense of relief after a long season. “It’s like I can breathe now,” he said. “We can breathe now.”

But their victory wouldn’t have been possible without the support of their families and the rest of the school community.

“The minute you step through the doors of this school, you feel the love,” Laye said.

For Gibson and fellow senior Amari Cornell, Thursday’s celebration marked the end of their high school basketball careers, and both said they’re proud to have helped bring a championship trophy back home.

But Cornell urged his younger teammates to return next school year ready to work hard. “Come back better and do what we did this year, but harder,” the 18-year-old said.

Junior Antonio Archer said he was ready to take on the challenge. “We’ll bring the trophy back next year,” he said.

Also attending the celebration to offer their congratulations were Mayor Brandon Johnson, Ald. Jason Ervin, state Rep. La Shawn Ford and U.S. Rep Danny Davis.

“You all did not just represent class and sophistication on the basketball court, but as great students and as young brothers on the west side of Chicago, I am proud of each and every one of you,” Johnson said.

Johnson also praised the dedication of the school’s teachers and administrators.

“You're setting these students up to be the next leaders,” he said.

Marshall's victory was the first time a Chicago Public League school captured a championship in the state’s smallest class.

When the IHSA tournament expanded to two classes in 1972, the Public League was granted an automatic bid to the Class AA state finals, making it impossible for its teams to compete in Class A. The tournament later expanded to four classes in 2008, and this season marked the first time a Public League team advanced to the Class 1A title game.