Two seasons ago, Homewood-Flossmoor’s Myles Ellis got a chance to play in the final minute of the Class 4A state championship game.

It might have been mop-up time for Ellis and four other players before the Vikings’ wild celebration at the State Farm Center in Champaign, but it was something that meant a lot to him.

“It was surreal experience just being on that court,” Ellis said. “Of course, I want to make it back.”

The senior guard could still get that chance.

He totaled six points, four rebounds, two steals, two assists and a blocked shot Tuesday night, helping H-F hold off Brother Rice for a 64-54 win in a Class 4A Joliet West Sectional semifinal.

Sophomore guard Darrius Hawkins Jr. popped in 20 points, including four free throws in the final 46 seconds for H-F (29-3). Jayden McDonald added 17 points and five rebounds.

Homewood-Flossmoor’s Myles Ellis (1) glides to the basket against Brother Rice during a Class 4A Joliet West Sectional semifinal game on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Sean King / Daily Southtown)

Zach Grabowski scored 11 points for Brother Rice (23-11), which was coming off a state runner-up finish last season in Class 3A. Joe Niego chipped in with 10 points and blocked two shots.

Ellis, meanwhile, played 23 minutes and is starting to return to form for the Vikings.

The three-sport athlete didn’t play basketball as a junior because of an ankle injury suffered in football and only practiced with the team this season until the playoffs. He stepped in after Ethan Jackson was injured.

“It’s his IQ and his poise that has allowed him to do this after not playing for so long,” H-F coach Brandin Brown said of Ellis. “And his leadership really shines through.

Homewood-Flossmoor’s Darrius Hawkins Jr. (4) powers to the basket against Brother Rice’s Uriah Davis during a Class 4A Joliet West Sectional semifinal game on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Sean King / Daily Southtown)

“He’s been around the program all year, and even when he was injured last year, he came to the practices to work out and rehab and traveled with the team.”

While Ellis’s stats have been moderate in his return, his impact has been obvious for top-seeded H-F, which faces the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal between third-seeded Lockport (27-5) and second-seeded Marist (28-5) at 7 p.m. Friday for the sectional title.

Ellis came up with some big plays during crunch time Tuesday. With Brother Rice charging back in the fourth quarter, Ellis converted a left-handed layup with 2:40 left and then found McDonald for an assist with 2:07 remaining to keep the Crusaders at bay.

“He’s a big part of the team and he’s an energy guy,” McDonald said of Ellis. “He’s a motor for us. And his defense is real nice.”

Homewood-Flossmoor’s Jayden McDonald (15) goes up for a rebound against Brother Rice during a Class 4A Joliet West Sectional semifinal game on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Sean King / Daily Southtown)

Does H-F have the chops to help Ellis make one more trip to Champaign?

“I’m going to go to war with my troops every day,” he said. “Our goal is to get to state.”

This has already been a terrific year for Ellis. On Feb. 14, he set a program record in the 60-meter dash with a 6.84 at the team’s indoor quad meet. He also broke a 16-year-old program record with a 35.30 showing in the 300 shortly after that.

Last season in track, he helped the 400 relay win a state championship and take second in the 800 relay.

“Man, that was nice,” Ellis said of the records. “That was a good feeling after all the hard work I put in. To be able to break some records and then win some big playoff games is something I’ve dreamed of.”

Homewood-Flossmoor’s Myles Ellis (1) defends against Brother Rice’s Joe Niego during a Class 4A Joliet West Sectional semifinal game on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Sean King / Daily Southtown)

Oh, yeah, and he plays football, too,

In the fall, the 5-foot-10 receiver caught 64 passes for 1,003 yards and 12 touchdowns to pace the Vikings. Soon after the season was over, he signed with North Dakota State.

But basketball is on his mind right now.

“Day by day, I’m getting better,” Ellis said. “I just want to help the team win at this point. My eyes are focused on that.”

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/03/myles-ellis-homewood-flossmoor-brother-rice/