With the IHSA girls basketball state tournament starting this week, our local schools are hoping to have success which culminates in an appearance at the state finals, which take place at Illinois State University, March 6-8.
The Wednesday Journal takes a look at how OPRF, Fenwick, and Trinity are shaping up going into the postseason:
Trinity (20-10, entering this week)
Seed: #3 at the Class 3A DePaul Prep Sectional
First playoff game: vs. Schurz, Feb. 18
Outlook: Under head coach Kim Coleman, Trinity has become a good, solid Chicago-area program, recording at least 20 victories in each of the past three seasons.
But the Blazers have something missing on their resume – a sectional championship. They’ve reached the sectional final the last three years but have yet to break through and advance to the supersectional round for the first time since 2016, when the program went 30-6 and finished third in the Class 4A tournament.
This year, Trinity hopes to get an opportunity to show the fourth time can be the charm, and with a good balance of talent, the Blazers have every reason to feel optimistic. Juniors Zaria Goins and Chloe Santos made the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Red all-conference team. As of last week, Goins is averaging 12 points, five rebounds, 2.5 steals and two assists per game, and Santos is averaging 8.9 points, six rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
Trinity has also gotten important contributions from three newcomers – freshman Keyera Gamble, junior Armante Dambrauskas and senior Sofia Flynn, as well as several returnees, including sophomore Destiny Sacluti and seniors Jaylani Hernandez, Ariana Rodriguez, and Grace Treese.
Fenwick (13-17)
Seed: #8 in the Class 4A Lyons Township Sectional
First playoff game: Feb. 17 at Morton
Outlook: With an overall young team featuring a large junior class and two freshmen, Fenwick figured to have an up-and-down season, and that has been manifested in the results.
“We showed how dangerous we can be,” said Fenwick coach Lenae Fergerson, “but the inexperience also played a part in many of our losses. I have enjoyed seeing improvement in some areas, but we still have a ways to go to get to where we’re capable of going.”
The Friars’ top players include two GCAC Red all-conference selections: freshman Avani Williams and senior Keira Kapsch. Williams, one of the area’s top players in the Class of 2028, is averaging 11.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, while Kapsch averages 13.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
Juniors Cammie Molis and Darryelle Smith have been solid contributors as well. Molis averages 7.7 points and Smith 6.8 points, 5.2 rebounds per game.
In order to make a run in what is an extremely loaded sectional with top teams such as Lyons Township, Mother McAuley, Nazareth Academy, and Whitney Young all capable of winning the 4A title, Fergerson feels Fenwick needs to compete for a full 32 minutes each time out.
“We’ve seen games where we play great one half, then come out and we’re a totally different team [in the second half],” she said. “So we’ve been stressing the importance of taking care of the ball and playing for four quarters. Once we’re able to do that, I’m confident we’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”
OPRF (3-27)
Seed: #18 at Lyons Township
First game: at Oak Lawn Richards, Feb. 15
Outlook: It’s been a challenging season for OPRF as the Huskies went winless in the West Suburban Silver for the third consecutive year.
“We had a tough game schedule with a young team learning to get better,” said OPRF coach Renee Brantley. “We had great moments, however; we’re learning to put everything together. I’m happy with the development of our young players; we’re continuing to build and develop their confidence.”
OPRF has gotten steady leadership from seniors Siena Alfonsi, Anna Breuer, Claire Detemer, and Genevieve Simkowski. Juniors Gabriella Chesney, Leah Hammerschmidt and Ameina Johnson along with sophomores Selah Backeberg, Taryn Draine, and Marie Spencer have provided times of promising play for the Huskies, which suggests the future looks bright with more experience.
“I don’t always think strength of schedule comes into factor, but we’re the 18th seed and willing to play whoever we need,” Brantley said. “Taking care of the ball, having ball movement, and being aggressive, those are what we need to focus on.”