When opponents prepare for Marist, junior guard Ryan Lawlor might not make the scouting report. On a roster full of talent, it’s easy to overlook the 6-foot-2 Lawlor, who comes off the bench. But Lawlor has been a valuable asset for the RedHawks, continually providing a consistent boost. “I just try to embrace my role,” Lawlor said. “I know there are five or six good players ahead of me. “When I come off the bench, I just need to bring the energy and provide the spark plug that the team needs when we’re down or when we’re having a little funk.” Lawlor’s spark was delivered in the clutch Friday night. He scored eight of his 10 points in the fourth quarter to help host Marist hold on for a 60-52 East Suburban Catholic Conference win over Marian Catholic in Chicago. Adoni Vassilakis led the RedHawks (9-1, 1-1) with 20 points and six rebounds. Karson Thomas scored 13 points and Rokas Zilys chipped in with nine. Junior forward Stephen Brown, who has offers from Illinois and Miami, made his season debut after missing the first nine games with an injury suffered in football. He scored two points in limited minutes. Zack Sharkey finished with 19 points and eight rebounds for the Spartans (8-3, 2-1). Delan Davis scored 14 points, while Landon Mays contributed 12 points and eight rebounds. Marist’s Ryan Lawlor (15) makes a free throw to keep a late lead over Marian Catholic during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Chicago on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown) Lawlor got to the basket for a pair of layups midway through the fourth quarter, each one pushing Marist’s lead back to eight. He then hit 4 of 4 free throws in the final 23 seconds to seal the win. When it came to the pressure-packed trips to the line, Lawlor was ready. “It’s all about confidence,” he said. “I take pride in being mentally strong. You just have to block everything out and knock them down. Don’t let the moment get to you.” Speaking of pride, Marist coach Brian Hynes was beaming with it when it came to Lawlor’s performance. “He has stepped up so many times,” Hynes said.  “For the season, he’s shooting 60% from three. He comes in in key moments and runs the team. He comes in and calms us down. “He’s a neighborhood kid. I couldn’t be happier for him.” Marist’s Adoni Vassilakis (0) gets fouled by Marian Catholic’s Landon Mays (15) during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Chicago on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown) No matter how much playing time he gets, Lawlor takes the same approach into every game. It all comes down to mindset. “A big part of it is every night, I do mental imaging for 30 minutes,” Lawlor said. “I just imagine the shot going through the hoop. We all work out together on the shooting machine, too. “Adoni, Rokas and all these guys are great shooters, so I have to stay ready with them.” The game was tied 28-28 midway through the third quarter before Marist went on a 14-0 run. Vassilakis scored seven points during that surge. Lawlor then helped bring it home, which certainly did not surprise Vassilakis. Marist’s Ryan Lawlor (15) floats a shot over Marian Catholic’s Landon Mays, left, during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Chicago on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown) “He adds a lot,” Vassilakis said of Lawlor. “He’s one of my favorite guys to play with. He doesn’t force anything. He plays hard. When he comes in, he’s a spark plug. We always go on runs with him in there. I think he’s an X-factor. “Late game, coming in, not having shot much and you knock down four big free throws. That shows who you are as a player and your character. I know he puts in the work, so I trust him making those shots.” Hynes has watched Lawlor play since seventh grade, so he’s well aware of what he can do. “Your heart goes out to the kid who always stays ready,” Hynes said. “He’s not in the starting lineup, but you know he’s going to get minutes and he always does the right thing. He’s a great teammate. “You’re happy for that kid.”