Jayden Williams, Jamson Coulter lead Rich to an unlikely comeback win against Marist in overtime

Fans stormed the court as the buzzer sounded in overtime in Richton Park on Wednesday. According to the scoreboard, Rich had just defeated Marist 86-85 in a Class 4A sectional semifinal. Until that moment, an outcome in the Raptors’ favor never felt likely.

Rich’s players and fans celebrated the victory with free-flowing emotion. It was especially sweet after a season-ending, state championship dream-crushing defeat seemed inevitable.

The Raptors (23-8) trailed Marist by 18 points in the second quarter and by 14 points in the third quarter. Then Rich star senior Al Brooks Jr. fouled out with 3:40 left in regulation and Marist leading 69-64.

“We are a pretty good team but Al makes us exceptional,” Raptors coach Lou Adams said. “Without him, we had to fight through.”

Brooks fouled out after scoring 22 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Jayden Williams and Jamson Coulter, talented junior guards, stepped up to lead the comeback.

“I was hurt but I had faith in my brothers that they were going to pull us through,” Brooks. “Jayden Wiliams is a straight dog. He and Jamson put the book bag on and took over the game.”

Coulter scored six in the fourth quarter and four in overtime to finish with 24 points. Williams scored 10 in the fourth and four in overtime and finished with 18 points and five rebounds.

“I had to pick it up,” Williams said. “I had a slow start in the first half. I knew we had to get Jamson going too. He’s really the best scorer in Chicago. We really need him to be aggressive.”

Marist (31-3) led 75-70 with less than a minute left in regulation. Junior Kavon Ammons, a baseball player, checked in off the bench and found some magic.

Ammons stole an inbounds pass under Rich’s basket and scored. Then he stole the next inbounds pass and passed to Williams for a bucket. In just a few seconds Ammons had trimmed Marist’s five-point lead to just one.

“It was the biggest leap of the game,” Williams said. “Without those steals, we don’t win the game. He’s the best defender we have on the team.”

Coulter made one of two free throws with 5 seconds left to tie the game. Marist’s Rokas Zilys missed just before the buzzer and the game went to overtime.

There were 16 total free throws in the four-minute overtime. Rich’s Nyshawn Turner missed one free throw and made the second with 4 seconds left to provide the final margin. Marist had a chance to win at the end but TJ Tate’s shot didn’t fall.

“We are playing our hearts out,” Brooks said. We deserve this.”

Zilys led Marist with 16 points and six rebounds. Tate and Adoni Vassilakis scored 14 and junior Stephen Brown added 13 points, six rebounds and three blocks for the RedHawks.

Rich, the only team to beat top-ranked Kenwood this season, will host Homewood-Flossmoor in the sectional final on Friday.

“We came out early in the season ranked No. 2,” Adams said. “We had some great wins and some bad losses. But through it all, we are still here.”