TJ Tate Leads Marist to Historic Sectional Title Victory

The Marist RedHawks clinched their first sectional title since the 1980-81 season, defeating the Homewood-Flossmoor Vikings 55-49 in the Class 4A Joliet West Sectional championship on March 6, 2026. Senior point guard TJ Tate played a pivotal role, showcasing his leadership and composure in a high-stakes game.

Tate’s influence was evident when he scored a crucial basket that halted a 12-0 run by Homewood-Flossmoor in the third quarter. Reflecting on the moment, Tate remarked, “I wanted to calm things down. We were starting to speed up a little bit. I just wanted to slow us down. That was a big basket. After that, we just settled down.” His ability to control the game aided Marist in regaining momentum as they secured the victory.

With Charles Barnes leading the team with 31 points, the second-seeded RedHawks improved their record to 30-5. Tate contributed six points while Stephen Brown, an NC State football recruit, added 14 points and seven rebounds. Kendall Meyers also supported the team with 10 points.

The match was tense, with Marist trailing at halftime before regrouping. After the Vikings closed the gap to 48-45, Tate’s timely basket brought the team back into focus. Barnes praised Tate for his crucial role, stating, “TJ is our floor general. We believe in him in those moments to slow the game down for us and make crucial plays.”

Marist’s head coach, Brian Hynes, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Tate’s unique qualities. “When TJ is done with basketball, he should be a stand-up comedian,” Hynes said. “He’s one of those kids that doesn’t know how funny he is. He’s such a nice kid. I’ve never heard him raise his voice. And in the biggest games, he comes through.”

Looking ahead, Marist will compete in the Class 4A Illinois State Supersectional against Peoria Richwoods on March 9, 2026, after Richwoods defeated Edwardsville 59-58 to win the Rock Island Sectional. Tate expressed enthusiasm about the team’s achievement, stating, “This feels awesome. We haven’t won a sectional in so many years. Seeing everybody so happy, seeing everybody cry, it’s awesome. We’re not done yet.”

The Vikings, who had an impressive 11-game winning streak, faced a tough defeat despite strong performances from Danny Ruffin, who scored 23 points, and John Brown IV, who added 14 points. Their efforts were not enough to overcome the RedHawks’ determined performance.

As Marist prepares for their next challenge, Tate remains confident in the team’s ability to maintain their focus and composure. “Breaking the press, I’ve been doing that for a while,” he said. “Dribbling through traffic, that’s fun.” With their historic win, the RedHawks are now in pursuit of more success in the upcoming matches.