At just 6-foot-2, St. Laurence’s Markese Peoples knows he won’t always be able to depend on feasting in the lane. With college in mind, he has focused on improving his outside play.
For now, though, it’s a pretty simple game. When the junior forward wants to get to the rim, nobody is stopping him.
“Me just attacking, going straight at guys, that all came from people telling me, ‘You’re stronger than that guy — just go right at him,’” Peoples said. “Usually when I do that, they move out of the way and the rim is open for me.
“That’s how I get those easy baskets.”
Peoples relentlessly attacked the basket Tuesday night against Catholic League Blue rival Brother Rice, pouring in 24 points and adding 10 rebounds as the Vikings rolled to a 58-46 win in the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic championship game.
Reggie Stevens also came through with 13 points for St. Laurence (14-1), while Jeremiah Toney tallied 11 points.
St. Laurence’s Markese Peoples (23) passes the ball against Brother Rice’s JJ Manos (21) in the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic championship game in Hinsdale on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)
Adam McBrearty led Brother Rice (10-4) with 21 points off the bench. Aiden Henderson added 11 points and five rebounds and Charlie Wizgird scored nine points.
Peoples was named the tournament’s MVP, averaging 15.5 points and seven rebounds over four games. The award is named after Justin Hardy, the former St. Charles East standout who died in 2022 after inspiring many during his courageous battle with cancer.
“I don’t really know Justin’s story, but I want to learn about it,” Peoples said. “This award means a lot to me. I’ve never won MVP at a Christmas tournament before, so it’s exciting.”
In the championship game, Peoples asserted himself right away. He scored six of the first eight points as the Vikings raced to an 8-0 lead and never looked back.
St. Laurence’s Markese Peoples (23) goes up to the basket on Brother Rice’s Joe Niego (2) in the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic championship game in Hinsdale on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)
St. Laurence led 29-16 at halftime. The closest Brother Rice got in the second half was nine points.
Peoples, meanwhile, credited his improved physique for taking his game to the next level. He dropped about 10 pounds but added muscle over the offseason.
“I slimmed down and wanted to work on my speed,” he said. “I can play faster now, and since I’m better conditioned, I can play the whole game now instead of needing time off.
“That really helps me now.”
St. Laurence’s Markese Peoples (23) grabs a rebound against Brother Rice’s JJ Manos (21) in the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic championship game in Hinsdale on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)
St. Laurence coach Roshawn Russell has certainly noticed the difference.
And while Russell knows Peoples has worked on his perimeter shooting to showcase a diverse game to colleges, Russell also encourages Peoples to stick with his bread-and-butter strengths.
“He’s a better shooter than people realize, but if you can’t stop him going to the basket, keep going to the basket,” Russell said. “With colleges, everyone’s asking what position he is.
“He’s a basketball player. Colleges should be all over him. You put him on the floor and he’s going to figure it out.”
Stevens certainly believes that as well. He has played with Peoples since they were in second grade.
“Markese lost a lot of weight,” Stevens said. “He worked with me over the summer. All that hard work he’s put in, it’s showing now. That’s my boy. He’s come a long way, so I’m really proud of him.”
St. Laurence’s Markese Peoples (23) powers to the basket against Brother Rice in the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic championship game in Hinsdale on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)
In fact, Stevens pointed out that he’s the one who convinced Peoples to play for the Vikings.
“I brought him over to St. Laurence for a reason and he’s showing it finally,” Stevens said. “Coming out of eighth grade, I felt like we had really great chemistry. I told ‘Kese to come and the rest is history.“
Peoples certainly appreciates the push from Stevens.
“I think I got some good advice from him to come here,” Peoples said. “We just wanted to keep being teammates, so when he decided he was going to St. Laurence, I was locked in.“
