The Trinity High School basketball team lost three times to Girls Catholic Athletic Conference rival DePaul Prep during the regular season.
But the fourth time was the charm as the Blazers got the Rams when it mattered most, notching a 48-46 victory in the IHSA Class 3A DePaul Prep regional title game. It is Trinity’s third consecutive regional championship.
“We’re all so happy,” said Trinity senior forward Lauren Miller, who had a team-high 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds. “Our fans were so helpful and gave us the energy boost we needed.”
Trinity (19-13) showed balance offensively against DePaul. Zaria Goins had 13 points and six rebounds, and Jaylani Hernandez and Chloe Santos (six rebounds) added eight points apiece for the Blazers.
Miller also lauded her team’s defensive play.
“We did a really good job on our defense,” she said. “We didn’t let them score on any of their inbounds plays, and we stopped their cuts in the lane. We also closed out on their shooters, which we didn’t do well when we played earlier, and minimized their second-chance opportunities.”
Up next for Trinity is a sectional semifinal, Feb. 20 (after press time), against host Glenbard South.
“They have a real dominant post player and some kids who can shoot,” Trinity coach Kim Coleman said of the Raiders.
But Coleman feels the Blazers have an ace up their sleeve, and that’s crowd support. The Trinity student body had a large presence at DePaul, not just in numbers but in noise volume. It’s something Coleman is counting on having again this week.
“Our students, parents, and staff showed up in a big way, so [Glenbard South] may not necessarily feel like an away game,” she said. “We’re just going to focus on us and let the result be what it is. We’ve got to treat the ball like it’s a million dollars and knock down our free throws; those are keys at this point of the season, and we’ve got to execute.”
Fenwick
It was one and done for Fenwick in the Class 4A tournament as host Oak Lawn scored on a buzzer-beating shot to edge past the Friars 43-41 in a regional semifinal, Feb. 13.
“It was a heartbreaker,” said Fenwick coach Lenae Fergerson. “But I think it was a big learning experience for our girls. I don’t think we defended at a high level that game, and it wound up biting us at the end.”
Grace Kapsch led Fenwick (9-22) with 13 points. She’s one of three seniors (Lily O’Neill, Tea Pasquesi are the others) who will be lost to graduation.
“They fought and gave it their all,” Fergerson said of the trio. “We’re losing a big piece in our point guard Grace Kapsch.”
However, there’s cause for optimism next season as 10 players return for the Friars, including juniors Mia Hernandez, Kiera Kapsch, and Claire Murphy along with sophomores Zoe Dray, Heaven Lee, Cammie Molis, and Darryelle Smith.
“This offseason is important in how we’re working and developing,” Fergerson said. “I’m excited for the next two years. As long as the girls want to put in the work and buy in, we’ll be fine.”
OPRF
The season for Oak Park and River Forest (7-25) came to an end on Feb. 13 as visiting Nazareth Academy, the top seed in the Class 4A Mother McAuley sectional, rolled past the Huskies 76-14 in a regional semifinal.
Despite the rough ending, OPRF improved its win total by five over last season. And head coach Renee Brantley felt progress was made this year by her players.
“It was a growing process for us,” she said. “We’re heading in the right direction, and I believe the girls really took their play and skills to the next level. They want to be successful and change the program around.”
With the Huskies losing just three players (Daria Kelley, Taylor Smith, and Shardae Spruille) to graduation, Brantley believes the experience her young team gained this season will pay dividends moving forward.
“We’ve laid a foundation and set a culture,” she said. “They want to be in a better position and more competitive, and we think good things will come.”