You couldn’t tell by watching them that Brother Rice’s Marcos Gonzales and Jack Weigus weren’t teammates until this year.
Gonzales, a Citadel recruit, was a mainstay on the Crusaders team that went 31-4 and reached the Class 3A Sweet Sixteen last season. Weigus played at Hinsdale South before transferring to Rice during the offseason.
Together, they’ve been a potent duo for the Crusaders, who took a 10-0 record into the Christmas break.
One game when they played off each other well came against neighborhood rival Brother Rice in the Team Rose Shootout at Mount Carmel in mid-December.
Gonzales took charge after halftime, scoring 18 of his 36 points in the third quarter of an 85-77 Rice win. Weigus had 20 points and seven rebounds.
What stands out about Gonzales for Weigus?
“Besides his great game, it’s his leadership,” Weigus said. “He’s always able to put us on his back and lead the team, especially when we’re down.
“Probably one of the best leaders I’ve ever played with — his commitment and focus rubs off on everyone.”
Both Weigus and Gonzales are 6-foot-3 senior guards, so it’s not a surprise their games complement each other.
“He’s just a great player, so it’s easy to play with him,” Weigus said. “I like to shoot, and he’s able to find me wherever I am.
“He’s the best at getting downhill in the state. … We’re just able to play off each other well.”
The feeling is mutual.
“Jack’s a great player, great shooter, great defender,” Gonzales said. “He’s a great person. I’ve gotten really close with him. … Our team, we’re all really good friends together. He’s a great guy … and I’m lucky to have him.”
It’s Gonzales’ third year on the varsity, so his role — as well as his game — has evolved.
“Defense and shooting — I think I took that to another level this year,” Gonzales said. “Last year I was mostly a driver only. This year I’m taking that step with the 3-point shooting and defense. That’s what I worked on most of the summer — athleticism as well.”
And, as he did against Oak Lawn, setting the tone for his teammates.
“Everything starts with me, I believe,” Gonzales said, “and everybody on my team believes it starts with me. My coaches look to me to take the reins and lead our squad. But they’re right there with me; they’re not following me. They’re right alongside me, so we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do.”
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