STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — After shaking off a shoulder injury scare, Liam Murphy made a triumphant return to the hardwood for Purdue University — in a road matchup against Rutgers, just 30 miles from his West Brighton home.

And he didn’t come alone.

A sea of supporters from St. Peter’s High School, Murphy’s alma mater, packed the stands to cheer on their hometown hero. When the sharpshooter buried one of his trademark three-pointers, the crowd erupted.

St. Peter’s loves Murphy. And Murphy loves them right back.

But his time at the school wasn’t always smooth sailing.

Episode 3 of “West Brighton Boilermaker” dives into the dramatic twist in the early years of Murphy’s St. Peter’s basketball journey — and how it shaped him into the player he is today.

EPISODE RECAP #1: A significant moment for Staten Island basketballEPISODE RECAP #2: Inside Purdue’s recruiting sprint to land sharpshooter

Get up-to-date with the “West Brighton Boilermaker” on the landing page silive.com/liam-murphy.