OTTAWA — The journey for Marmion’s Jabe Haith has been the type of long and winding road that Paul McCartney wrote about with The Beatles. And it ended with a crescendo.
A 6-foot-5 guard/forward, Haith began his high school career as a freshman at Elgin Academy. He went online only during the pandemic before transferring as a junior.
“I came to this team after not playing my sophomore year, and (Monday) meant the world to me,” he said. “What it taught me was this was bigger than me, bigger than myself.
“At first it was for our school, then our team, and finally for Aurora.”
And for a final salvo, this was pretty good.
Haith had 13 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals, keeping the Cadets close for three quarters in a 60-48 loss to Metamora in the Class 3A Ottawa Supersectional.
Senior guard Collin Wainscott scored 11 of his team-best 20 points in the third for Marmion (23-12). His 3-pointer yielded the only tie for the Cadets at 30-30 late in that quarter.
Metamora (32-2), however, pulled away in the fourth to advance to a 11:45 a.m. Friday state semifinal against East St. Louis (25-8) at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
One of five senior starters, Haith offered toughness, resolve and an optimistic attitude. The Lewis recruit helped lead the way as Marmion won a regional for the first time since 1976.
That’s the same year the Cadets reached the Class A state quarterfinals. In time, Haith and his teammates will remember the journey instead of being a step short of the destination.
“It stings right now that we are not playing for a state championship because that was the ultimate,” Marmion coach Joe Piekarz said. “They did something beyond that.
“They completely changed the culture of Marmion basketball. They aren’t going to feel that right now because they are high school kids. Few players can say they changed a program.”
After winning a sectional in stunning fashion, they almost pulled this one out, too. Haith’s steal and layup even got the Cadets within 37-36 early in the fourth quarter.
As impressive as his ball handling, floor leadership and playmaking, Hait also provided a memorable defensive effort against Metamora all-state forward Ethan Kizer.
“My style of play is to do whatever the team needs me that day,” Haith said. “Having to play tough defense against a great player is what my team needed from me.
“I don’t think he went off like he normally does. I set myself that job.”
For the Cadets, the turning point to the season came on Jan. 31 with a 69-59 victory over Mount Carmel in a Catholic League crossover.
Confidence and momentum continued to grow from there as Marmion came up with a 9-2 record going into the supersectional.
“That game just showed what we were capable of,” Haith said. “That was one of our first games where we had everybody and we just meshed.
“We knew during that last stretch of the season, we had to start playing our best basketball. That game helped boost us to where we are now.”
Senior guard Jacob Piceno, meanwhile, scored all five of his points in the fourth quarter for Marmion. His 3-pointer cut the deficit down to five with just over a minute remaining.
“We all understood that (Monday) was possibly our last game playing together,” Piceno said. “All the seniors pushed each other to find that team chemistry and to get better for the next level.”
The competitive dynamic among Haith, Piceno and Wainscott proved to be instrumental in the Cadets’ historic push.
“The chemistry was great, on and off the court,” Piceno said. “It was a great time talking, competing against each other and making everyone better.”
Although Haith missed six games due to complications from an ankle injury, that time away opened up his perspective.
“You always know any game could be your last,” he said. “When you actually live it and miss the games like I did, everything hits you differently and you have to catch back up.
“I did everything possible to get back on the court. I wasn’t going to miss this.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.