This year’s Brother Rice team reminded coach Conte Stamas of another team — the veteran coach’s Lyons Township team that overachieved and reached the state semifinals before finishing fourth in 2021.
“This team had the same traits,” Stamas said of teams separated by nearly a quarter-century. “They were a really close team, a very coachable team. Leader at point guard. A lot of the intangibles were in place.”
The other common denominator was the coach leading them.
Stamas is once again the City/Suburban Hoops Report Coach of the Year — 24 years after winning the award for the first time.
After losing three starters from a year ago, Brother Rice began the season at the back end of the preseason rankings at No. 23 in the Sun-Times Super 25. In Marcos Gonzales, a returning starter headed to The Citadel, the Crusaders had a true backbone. But they weren’t expected to duplicate — or improve on — the last two seasons.
The City/Suburban Hoops Report Coach of the Year is a single-season award, but it’s imperative to point out that Brother Rice became one of the rare programs in state history to win 30-plus games three years in a row. It’s a very short, impressive list.
Joining the 30-win club was attained in Stamas’ first three years on the job at the Southwest Side private school.
This year’s team just happened to be the 30-win squad that broke through and reached the IHSA state finals for the first time since 2005, finishing second in Class 3A.
“If you would have told me the first day of practice in November that we would make it to the state championship game, I would have taken that every day and twice on Sunday,” Stamas said. “Even though it stings to be so close, every day that passes I can sit back and be very, very satisfied and pleased with how things went. These kids gave me everything they had.”
The Crusaders not only made a run to the state championship game for the first time in program history, but they collected impressive wins all season and climbed the rankings.
There were the two big postseason wins, beating 29-win Peoria and red-hot St. Patrick in the state semis. But Brother Rice also went on the road and knocked off the 3A state champion, DePaul Prep, and picked up other regular-season victories over Bolingbrook, Loyola, Lane and Lincoln Park.
The Crusaders did it while grinding through injuries here and there. There was an injury to Gonzales in December. Jack Weigus missed time and battled an injury late in the season as the Crusaders dropped three games. And the ultra-valuable Caden Workman played the last month of the season with a broken hand, refusing to go to the doctor in fear of being told he couldn’t play.
Stamas righted the ship late in the season when things appeared to be going sideways.
Winning big isn’t anything new at Brother Rice. It’s a proud basketball program with a lot of tradition. It started with the 25-year Pat Richardson era from 1990 to 2014 and continued with Bobby Frasor’s solid run just before Stamas’ arrival.
But the last three seasons have been at a different winning level, culminating with the program’s first state trophy.
“I feel so satisfied for the people at the school, the Brother Rice community, the alums,” Stamas said. “That’s what makes me feel good now. I feel very good that those people had a nice ride with us this year.”
Past City/Suburban Hoops Report Coaches of the Year
2025: Conte Stamas, Brother Rice
2024: Tom Kleinschmidt, DePaul Prep
2023: Jim Thomas, Downers Grove North
2022: Jason Opoka, Glenbard West
2021: Tom Kleinschmidt, DePaul Prep
2020: Tai Streets, Thornton
2019: Mike Oliver, Curie
2018: Mike Ellis, Evanston
2017: Mike Healy, Wheaton South
2016: Gene Heidkamp, Benet
2015: Phil Ralston, Geneva
2014: Tom Livatino, Loyola
2013: Mike Taylor, Marian Catholic
2012: Robert Smith, Simeon
2011: Scott Miller, Glenbard East
2010: Gene Heidkamp, Benet
2009: Ron Ashlaw, Waukegan
2008: John Chappetto, Richards
2007: Pat Ambrose, Stevenson
2006: Gordie Kerkman, West Aurora
2005: David Weber, Glenbrook North
2004: Roy Condotti, Homewood-Flossmoor
2003: Bob Curran, Thornwood
2002: Rick Malnati, New Trier
2001: Conte Stamas, Lyons
2000: Dave Lohrke, Glenbard South
1999: Gene Pingatore, St. Joseph
1998: Mark Lindo, Naperville North
1997: Gordie Kerkman, West Aurora
1996: Rocky Hill, Thornton