O’Brien: Nic Weishar is Marist’s star hurler
By Tim O’Brien For Sun-Times Media December 31, 2012 7:46PM
Tim O'Brien
Updated: December 31, 2012 10:39PM
Marist’s surprise run in the 4A boys basketball playoffs had more than its fair share of memorable moments, from rivalry wins to buzzer-beaters to improbable comebacks.
Having already upset Curie in the regional final, the RedHawks’ run looked to be coming to a close late in the Argo sectional semifinal against higher-ranked Bogan.
Watching Marist fall behind by 15 points with 3:10 remaining, I started to think more about what I should write than keeping the score for this apparent blowout. Well, Marist must not have been ready to close the books on the season just yet.
L.J. McIntosh hit a three-pointer, then another. Tyler Oden hit two free throws, and in a blink, it’s a six-point deficit. Not enough time left though, right?
Marist’s center, Nic Weishar, a Division I-recruited wide receiver, scored two baskets in 10 seconds, McIntosh hit another three, and what is this? We’ve got ourselves a game.
Pulling one last trick while down two points, Lexus Williams stole the ball at midcourt from and passed to a streaking Weishar. The 6-foot-5 receiver caught the ball, dribbled and put it in at the buzzer to force overtime.
The extra session never was in question, the RedHawks outscoring Bogan 7-2. But now, the tricky part, deciphering the most ludicrous, improbable comeback I’ve ever seen into a somewhat readable story.
Where to start? Weishar, owner of the game-tying bucket.
And where would he be in all the postgame chaos?
Leaning over a garbage can behind the Marist bench, Weishar was throwing up for all he was worth. The then-sophomore had done his best Michael Jordan impression and played through flu-like symptoms, scoring 12 points and pulling down seven rebounds in a 68-63 thriller.
“It’s unbelievable,” Weishar said. “It is how we’ve been all year. We never gave up. We kept coming back, and we have a ton of heart.”
I was there, and I still don’t believe it.
