Destiny powers Trinity past Fenwick

Rivalry games, no matter the sport, are not always decided by each team’s star players. In fact, more often than not, an unsung player helps to determine the outcome.

Trinity High School basketball sophomore Destiny Sacluti does not have the name recognition teammates like Armante Dambrauskas, Sofia Flynn, Zaria Goins, and Chloe Santos enjoy. But she is an important player off the bench, and her energy and unexpected offensive production turned out to be the difference in the Blazers’ 45-35 Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Red Division victory over neighboring Fenwick, Jan. 9, at Dominican University’s Igini Sports Forum in River Forest.

“It was important that we stay composed and just play our game,” said Sacluti, who scored 10 points. “Intense games like this help prepare us for the big games, and we learned from our mistakes.”

Sacluti’s performance gave Trinity (13-5, 2-2 in GCAC Red) a boost, considering the struggles of Goins, who had five points and five rebounds but fouled out late. She was appreciative.

“It just feels really good to have people to be able to lean on in situations like that,” she said.

Trinity coach Kim Coleman said she expected Fenwick (10-10, 0-4) to bring its best effort, and was pleased with the poise her team showed down the stretch.

“We just knew we had to withstand their run and we’d be OK,” she said. “We just played for each other and dug deep. We wanted to win and knew we could make that happen.”

Conversely, Fenwick coach Lenae Fergerson believed a sluggish start proved to be decisive in the Friars’ loss.

“We didn’t start the game ready to play,” she said. “I was telling the girls there are four quarters of basketball and we probably played just one and a half, maybe two. When you do that against a team that plays four quarters, you’re not going to win.”

Trinity went on a 9-0 run, bridging the first and second quarters, that broke a 9-9 tie. The Blazers allowed Fenwick just five first-half baskets in taking a 29-17 halftime lead.

However, the Friars responded with a strong third quarter, outscoring Trinity 13-5 to draw within four points. Then with over five minutes remaining, Fenwick trailed 38-35 and had a few chances to draw even. But the offense took several questionable shots and committed multiple turnovers as the Friars went scoreless for the remainder of the contest.

“We had unforced errors,” Fergerson said. “Turning the ball over on inbounds plays, not grabbing rebounds, a lot of the same mistakes we’ve been dealing with the entire year. I keep hoping that one day we can turn the page and not continue to make those same mistakes, but tonight wasn’t that night.”

Also hurting Fenwick was strong play from Santos, who scored five of her game-high 14 points in the fourth quarter to keep Trinity ahead.

“Both Chloe and Destiny have been due for a big game, especially with Zaria in foul trouble,” Coleman said. “Zaria’s been leading us this season, so it was nice to have others step up.”

Freshman Keyera Gamble added eight points and three rebounds and Dambrauskas six points for the Blazers, who played without Flynn.

“She’ll be back real soon,” Coleman said. “We’ll be all right.”

Freshman Eleanor Gibson led Fenwick with 12 points, and classmate Avani Williams added nine points and five rebounds. While the duo has brought energy to the Friars, Fergerson knows they’ll have ups and downs in their first season.

“They’re still transitioning to this level,” she said. “They’re learning how much consistency it takes on every possession. They’re making their mark and have done well, but they have a lot more to learn and understand.”

Both teams have busy weeks ahead. Trinity is at St. Ignatius on Jan. 16 and plays Westinghouse in the Women Empowerment Games at Lane Tech, Jan. 18, before hosting Plainfield South in the Trinity MLK Showcase, Jan. 20. Fenwick hosts Loyola Academy, Jan. 16, and Amundsen, Jan. 18, before playing Aurora Central Catholic at Trinity on Jan. 20.