Marshall plays hero, leads Brooks over Farragut

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Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011
11:27 p.m.

By Michael O'Brien
Yourseason.com

George Marshalls name has been bandied about the city for four years. A four-year starter for Brooks and a Wisconsin recruit, the 6-foot senior never lived up to his early hype.

Until Sunday.

Marshall scored 12 points in the fourth quarter and drained the game-winning jumper with six seconds to play as the Eagles rallied to beat Farragut 56-54 in the Public League quarterfinals at Chicago State.

It means a lot, Marshall said. We had so many chances to make our mark the last four years and didnt pull it out.

Marshall didnt score until the fourth quarter. Farragut committed a rash of turnovers in the second half, surrendering a 15-point lead. It seemed to energize Marshall, who started attacking the basket and getting to the free-throw line.

Brooks coach Bobby Locke, who took over this season for Chris Head, was pleased that Marshall was the player who hit the big shot.

I didnt realize how much he had been through until I got here this year, Locke said. He deserved that moment.

Marshall missed the majority of his junior season with injuries and had a broken hand earlier this season. He returned just in time for the Public League playoffs.

I was a little winded earlier in the game, Marshall said. But at the end I knew I had to pull everything I had out of me.

Keith Gray, a 6-6 senior, led Brooks (20-3) with 21 points and five rebounds. Michael Powell added nine points and Kevin Gray scored seven and grabbed 13 rebounds.

Farragut only managed one field goal in the final nine minutes of the game.

Thats been a trend with us, Marshall said. The first half our defense has been so-so, but weve really picked up the intensity in the third and fourth quarter.

Gabriel Williams, who missed a possible game-winning three at the buzzer, led the Admirals (19-4) with 26 points. Rashaun Stimage, who fouled out midway through the fourth quarter, added nine points and Jonathan Collins scored four and grabbed 10 rebounds.

The Eagles held Farragut star DJ Tolliver to just five points and nine rebounds.

Brooks will face Curie in the semifinals on Wednesday at DePaul.

Young will play Simeon (23-0) in the other semifinal. The Wolverines beat Mather (20-5) 66-44. Jabari Parker led the way with 22 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Ahman Fells added 11 points.

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