Look to the mound for some of the biggest wins in Marmion history and you will find junior Brandon McPherson standing there.
McPherson started the regional title game, a 6-0 win over Sycamore. He dominated Burlington Central 13-0 to win the first sectional title in program history. He capped his season with 3 2/3 scoreless innings in a 7-1 win over Champaign Central to take third place in Class 3A.
“It was never about me being in the spotlight,” McPherson said. “It was about me doing the best for my team to win. I was never nervous because I knew my teammates had my back.”
McPherson, The Beacon-News Player of the Year, went 7-2 while often facing some of the best teams in Class 4A playing in the Catholic Blue. He posted a 1.13 ERA, striking out 79 in 12 games, including 11 starts. He also hit .333 and played solid defense in right field when he wasn’t on the mound.
“He can throw four pitches for a strike,” Marmion coach Frank Chapman said. “He relies on three (fastball, curveball, change-up), but he can throw all of them for a strike at any time. He needs to work on getting ahead and staying ahead and working with his fastball. Once he figures that out, doors are just going to open.”
McPherson has control of his repertoire, and he has a catcher in classmate Chase Stanke who calls the game. The two have played together for eight years and will spend the summer playing together with Top Tier, as well.
“He’s my brother, I love him,” McPherson said. “We have that connection. We call our own pitches. He’ll do what he likes, but give me complete control to shake him off if I want to.”
During the regular season, McPherson had several big outings, but the highlight was a 13-1 win over Mount Carmel.
“They had no answer for him,” Chapman said. “It’s probably the most potent lineup in the state and he kept them at bay for five innings.”
McPherson will look to build on his success with Top Tier this summer. McPherson and Stanke went to Nashville, Tenn., this week and are headed to Georgia next week.
Being a two-sport star who has yet to choose his college, or which sport he will play there, McPherson has a busy summer planned.
He’s already attended football camps at Elmhurst, Iowa and Northern Illinois, getting work at positions such as linebacker and H-back, in addition to quarterback.
“I’ve figured out that whatever (sport) offers me the best opportunity, that’s what I will decide,” McPherson said. “I feel like it’s going to be wide open until football season ends. By then, I’ll most likely have my mind made up on what I want to do in college.”
Whatever McPherson decides, Chapman is firmly in his corner.
“He has the talent (to play both),” Chapman said. “He’s an athlete. Whatever he wants to do, we’ll support him, I told his dad that.”
McPherson dreams of playing both sports in college, but he is just living in the moment for now.
“I’m enjoying the process,” McPherson said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so you may as well make the most out of it.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance writer for The Beacon-News.
