Brother Rice tops Marist for first Pulaski Post

By Xavier Sanchez
Correspondent

Classes and athletics competitions across Illinois were called off due to bone-chilling temperatures early this week. That did not stop two of the area’s hottest teams from duking it out in the Battle of Pulaski.

Brother Rice senior forward Zavier Fitch scored 19 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to lead Brother Rice to a 65-47 win over Marist on Jan. 16. Fitch’s efforts earned him the Weish Night MVP award.

With the victory, the Crusaders (19-3, 5-0) earned the inaugural Pulaski Post, a trophy that will moving forward be awarded to the winner of the annual rivalry game.

Cale Cosme finished with 15 points and seven rebounds for the Crusaders. Marcos Gonzales and Tyler Wooten each had 11 points.

Darshan Thomas led Marist (16-4, 5-2) with a team-high 13 points and 10 rebounds. Marquis Vance finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.

Brother Rice coach Conte Stamas was hoping his guys would come out strong like he saw in their previous home games against De La Salle and West Aurora. It was the RedHawks, however, that jumped out to a 7-0.

The Crusaders responded with a 13-2 run, during which Fitch scored eight points, to take a lead they would never relinquish.

Brother Rice led by as many as 15 points late in the first half and was up 30-21 at halftime.

The star of the night was Fitch, who Stamas praised for a willingness to improve his game beyond just scoring.

“He’s playing both ends of the floor, he’s not only scoring but he’s rebounding quite a bit for us,” Stamas said.

“He’s an absolute great player,” Cosme added. “It’s been an absolute enjoyment to play with him the last four years.”

Fitch’s performance earns him the Weish Night MVP honor.

The Pulaski Post was added to the mix in connection with the Andrew Weishar Foundation. Weishar was a student-athlete at Brother Rice who died in 2010 from colorectal cancer. After his passing, the Weishar family started a foundation in his honor; it has since raised millions of dollars and helped hundreds of families with members battling cancer.

Prior to the start of the game, Rice unveiled two new decals of jerseys that represent the two Weishar wore during his years playing basketball and football for the Crusaders.

“Playing for Andrew Weishar, it’s awesome,” Cosme said.

“There is no feeling like it,” added Fitch.

Nic Weishar, Andrew’s brother and a Marist graduate who played tight end at Notre Dame, said he is grateful for the endless support from the community.

“Ten years ago, that gym was jam packed just like last night, and Andrew was being remembered for his life well-lived and for his courage throughout his fight with cancer,” Weishar said. “To be back in this gym in 2024 and still have Andrew’s legacy at the forefront of such an amazing rivalry is a special honor.

“It truly speaks to the kind of man Andrew was and his ability to positively impact those around him. We’re honored to be able to continue Andrew’s wish of paying It forward.”

To have the Crusaders take the first Pulaski Post was special, said Rice graduate Danny Weishar, Andrew’s other brother.

“Andrew was the biggest rice guy of all time,” Danny Weishar said. “He truly embodies everything it meant to be a Crusader.

“There is now doubt he’s smiling down — as much as he loved his Marist friends, family, etc. He’s smiling about the victory tonight.”

The win over the RedHawks was the Crusaders’ fourth straight victory. They fell 55-46 to DePaul on Jan. 19.

“We know what our end goal is,” Fitch said. “These wins feel good but we want [a state championship].”

Two losses at the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic to close out 2023 helped refocus Rice, Stamas said.

“We have to do the things that got us to be successful, so we had to refocus a little bit and it got us back on track,” Stamas said.

Cosme is ready for what’s to come.

“Keep taking it one game at a time,” he said. “Keeping ourselves level headed.”