Despite having an impressive record, the Fenwick High School varsity boys basketball team was not expected to contend for the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic title at York, given the number of high-quality teams in the field.
But thanks to their defense, the Friars wound up in the championship game, Dec. 31, against Bolingbrook, which features one of the state’s top prospects in the class of 2027 in guard Davion Thompson.
Fenwick led Bolingbrook, ranked fifth in last week’s Chicago Sun-Times Top 25 poll, 30-20 at halftime. But the Raiders rallied in the second half and held off a late rally to defeat the Friars 54-48 to win the title.
“That was a good showing by us,” said Fenwick coach David Fergerson of the tournament. “We kind of got hot at the right moment and were able to string some victories, just fell a little short in the final. It was a good run.”
Fenwick (13-3) was outstanding again defensively, holding Bolingbrook (14-2) to one field goal for nearly 14 minutes. But the Raiders, keyed by former Fenwick player JT Pettigrew (18 points, eight rebounds, two blocks), outscored the Friars 18-4 in the third quarter to take a 38-34 lead and stayed ahead for good.
“We lost the game in the third quarter,” Fergerson said. “If we had a little more balance there, we might have been OK. That was tough.”
Jake Thies scored with :26 left to bring the Friars within two, but Bolingbrook made four consecutive free throws to seal things. Thompson finished with 17 points for the Raiders.
Dominick Ducree led Fenwick with 17 points, while Ty Macariola and Nate Marshall each added nine points. Ducree, Macariola, and Marshall were named to the All-Tournament Team.
“We need everybody on the team, but when those three step up, it makes it easier for the entire group,” Fergerson said.
Fenwick’s Ty Macariola (21) drives the lane and makes a pass against Andrew during the 50th Annual Jack Tosh Holiday Classic Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024 in Elmhurst, IL. (Steve Johnston/Wednesday Journal) 
Andrew’s Ryan Dinnon (24) tries to block the shot attempt by Fenwick’s Dominick Ducree (0) during the 50th Annual Jack Tosh Holiday Classic Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024 in Elmhurst, IL. (Steve Johnston/Wednesday Journal) 
Fenwick’s Jake Thies (22) works up court against Andrew’s Mason Moore (34) during the 50th Annual Jack Tosh Holiday Classic Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024 in Elmhurst, IL. (Steve Johnston/Wednesday Journal) 
Fenwick’s Nathaniel Marshall (23) drives down the lane against Andrew during the 50th Annual Jack Tosh Holiday Classic Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024 in Elmhurst, IL. (Steve Johnston/Wednesday Journal)
The Friars opened the tournament with a 64-43 rout of Andrew, Dec. 26. Ducree scored 19 points, Macariola 11, and Thies 10. The next day, Ducree had 12 points and five rebounds and Macariola and Marshall 10 points each in a 53-35 victory over Conant.
In the quarterfinals, Dec. 28, Macariola had 15 points and six rebounds and Kamron Hogan 10 points and six rebounds as Fenwick got past Christ the King 51-45.
In the semifinals, Dec. 30, the Friars outscored Lake Zurich 13-1 to end the third quarter in a 50-37 victory. Marshall poured in a game-high 22 points off the bench, while Hogan grabbed 10 rebounds to go with seven points.
“We showed we can make a run in the second half of the season,” Fergerson said. “We just can’t have those third-quarter collapses. The same thing happened at St. Laurence; we’ve got to correct that. Otherwise, we’re all right.”
Fenwick returns to action Jan. 11 versus Whitney Young in the After the Game Shootout at St. Ignatius.
Fenwick girls
The Fenwick varsity girls went 2-2 and finished sixth at the Komarony Classic at Dundee-Crown.
“We were able to show some progress and improvement,” said Fenwick coach Lenae Fergerson. “Now it’s more about consistency.”
Fenwick (9-9) won the opener 39-35 on Dec. 26 over Lake Forest. Keira Kapsch led the Friars with 13 points and three steals. Cammie Molis added nine points and Darryelle Smith had eight points, six rebounds and five steals. Kapsch and Smith were named to the All-Tournament Team.
“[Kapsch and Smith] do a lot of the dirty work that doesn’t show up in the box score,” Fergerson said. “They were consistent throughout the whole tournament and when they go, it helps our whole team go.”
On Dec. 27, Fenwick lost to St. Charles North 56-35. Junior Grace Masterson had a team-high nine points in defeat.
The Friars rebounded the next day, beating Hononegah 51-46. Molis led with 17 points, while Smith had 15 points and nine rebounds and freshman Avani Williams (named to the All-Tournament Team at last month’s Marian Catholic Holiday Classic) added 11 points and four steals.
In the fifth-place game, Dec. 30, Fenwick fell 49-46 to New Trier. Molis’ potential game-tying three-pointer missed as time expired.
“We got a good look … Cammie just wasn’t able to knock it down,” Fergerson said. Molis finished with 12 points, while Williams (nine rebounds, five steals) and Eleanor Gibson each had nine points and Smith eight points and five rebounds.
Following a home game against Willowbrook, Jan. 7 (after press time), Fenwick meets Trinity at Dominican University, Jan. 9, at 7 pm.
“[Trinity] is a rivalry game. It comes down to who wants it more,” Fergerson said. “It should be a good game.”