Marshall Wins 1A State Title After Late Comeback

Freshman DJ Laye scores 12 points in 4th quarter to lead Commandos to victory

Mar. 14, 2026 at 6:03pm

The Marshall Commandos won the IHSA 1A state championship with a 52-44 victory over Goreville after a late 15-0 run in the fourth quarter. Freshman guard DJ Laye scored a game-high 30 points, including 12 in the final period, to lead the comeback. Marshall forced 23 Goreville turnovers in the win, the first time a Chicago Public League school has captured the 1A state title.

Why it matters

This victory marks a significant milestone for the Marshall basketball program, which had fallen out of the Chicago spotlight in recent years. Winning the 1A state championship, the smallest class in Illinois, is an impressive feat for a Public League school, which have historically struggled to compete at the lower enrollment levels.

The details

Marshall trailed by 10 points heading into the fourth quarter, but a 15-0 run sparked by Laye's scoring outburst turned the game in the Commandos' favor. The Commandos' stifling defense forced Goreville into 23 turnovers, many of which came during the decisive fourth-quarter stretch. This is Marshall's third state title, with previous championships in 1958, 1960, and 2008 in the 3A classification.

  • Marshall won the 3A title in 2008.
  • The tournament expanded to four classes in 2008, the first time a Public League team has played for the 1A title.

The players

DJ Laye

A freshman guard who was a sensation last season and led Marshall's comeback with 12 of his game-high 30 points in the fourth quarter.

Marshall Commandos

The Chicago Public League basketball team that won its first 1A state championship, the smallest class in Illinois.

Goreville Blackcats

The opponent that Marshall defeated 52-44 in the 1A state title game.

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