It’s no secret that the Trinity High School basketball team is always in the mix for a state championship. This year appears no different as the Blazers should roll through the regular season before striving to get past Whitney Young and any other formidable obstacles in the state playoffs en route to an appearance Downstate.
The Blazers posted a 26-5 record last season, winning the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference title and navigating their way to the Hinsdale South Sectional championship game. Whitney Young derailed the Blazers 58-45 in the sectional final. Trinity defeated the Dolphins during the regular season, the only team from Illinois to get the best of the Class 4A state champs last season.
Despite the loss of stars like Lauren Prochaska (playing college basketball at DePaul), Laura Sikora and Maura Molloy to graduation, Trinity coach Ed Stritzel welcomes back several key players, including junior point guard Annie McKenna, senior forward Patricia Stritzel, and 5-11 junior forward Kaitlyn Aylward. McKenna earned fourth-team all-state recognition, while Stritzel and Aylward were both all-conference picks.
Trinity also keeps replenishing its roster with young talent. Five freshmen join the roster: 5-9 forward Alisa Fallon, 5-10 freshman point guard Lauren Lee, 5-8 shooting guard Daliyah Brown, 6-2 center Alex Fanning and 6-0 forward Alyssa Geary all figure to contribute possibly this year and certainly in the future.
“We knew we wanted to incorporate the freshman into everything, and we’ve already done a good job of accomplishing that,” said Patricia Stritzel, Ed’s daughter. “They’re ready to play with us and make an impact.”
Patricia Stritzel knows that if Trinity repeats as GCAC champions, the Blazers must utilize their strength and speed on both ends of the floor.
“We’re not that big but we’re strong,” she said. “Our defense and our scoring have both improved. We have an even faster team than last year. Everyone on this team is a scorer. Scoring and defense are definitely going to be our main focus.”
Patricia Stritzel, who signed to play college basketball at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, has one goal in mind in her fourth year on the Blazers.
“I’ve been on this team since my freshman year, so I’d love to see our team make it downstate,” she said. “That’s my goal for the team. As a captain this year, I want to help make that happen. I just want to make sure everyone knows, especially the freshmen, what they’re doing at all times.”
Patricia Stritzel is yet another player in a proud line of Blazers who will play college basketball.
“I’m really excited to be able to play in college,” she said. “It’s great that I have the opportunity to be a role model for the underclassmen. I want to show them that if they keep working hard, they can play at the next level, too.”
Â
