Winning IHSA regional titles is becoming routine for the Trinity High School basketball team. The Blazers notched their fifth consecutive Class 3A regional championship with a decisive 66-35 victory over visiting Wheaton St. Francis, Feb. 20.
But Trinity coach Kimberly Coleman has bigger ambitions, namely securing the program’s first sectional title since 2016, when the Blazers went 30-6 and finished third in Class 4A.
“I want more,” she said. “I have so much gratitude to play at home and win a regional, but I want more, and I think we can get more.”
Trinity (23-10) never trailed and used suffocating defense to gradually pull away, holding St. Francis (9-23) to 23.5 percent from the field and allowing no baskets in the third quarter. The Blazers also dominated the glass, outrebounding the Spartans 42-23.
Zaria Goins had 15 points and seven rebounds, Armante Dambrauskas 13 points and eight rebounds, Jaylani Hernandez nine points and five assists, and Sofia Flynn 11 rebounds for Trinity.
Up next for Trinity is a sectional semifinal against Montini Catholic at DePaul Prep, Feb. 25 [after deadline]. The Broncos defeated the Blazers in last year’s Glenbard South sectional final, but Coleman likes how her team is playing, especially offensively. Trinity has balance, and any player can carry the load on any given night.
“That’s the beauty of it. I’ve never been in a situation like this,” Coleman said. “I’m excited for us to continue to be consistent in both [ends]. We talk about playing your best basketball at the right time of year, and this is perfect timing.”
Trinity guard Jaylani Hernandez prepares to shoot ov guard Arianna Naples during the Class 3A Trinity Regional final, Feb. 2 had nine points as the Blazers advanced to the DePaul Prep Sectional v victory. | Carol Dunning 
Trinity guard Zaria Goins looks to pass during the Class 3A Trinity Regional final against St. Francis, Feb. 20. Goins had 15 points and seven rebounds as the Blazers advanced to the DePaul Prep Sectional with a 66-35 victory. | Carol Dunning 
Trinity forward Chloe Santos goes up strong to the basket against Riley Nelson of St. Francis in the Class 3A Trinity Regional final, Feb. 20. Santos had eight points as the Blazers advanced to the DePaul Prep Sectional with a 66-35 victory. | Carol Dunning
Fenwick
Despite getting 21 points on 7 three-pointers from Cammie Molis, the Friars (14-18) lost the Class 4A Morton regional final, Feb. 20, to Lyons Township 66-46.
Fenwick coach Lenae Fergerson knew her team had a tough task against the Lions (31-2), the top seed in the Lyons Township sectional. But she felt the Friars played better than the final score indicates.
“I just wanted my girls to compete,” Fergerson said. “The score was tied in the second quarter, and at halftime it was an eight-point game. They competed, and I was proud of them. But LT’s a very good team and the number one seed for a reason.”
The loss doesn’t dampen Fergerson’s enthusiasm for Fenwick’s future. Eleven players are scheduled to return next season, among them Molis, a junior, and freshmen Eleanor Gibson and Avani Williams.
“I take it as a good learning experience for our freshman group, and the juniors have another year under their belt,” Fergerson said. “They understand what’s at stake next year and what they’ve got to get better at.”
Fergerson had kind words for her five departing seniors: Clare and Kiera Kapsch, Claire Murphy, Catherine Quinn, and Diamond Young.
“They’ve given me all they have,” she said. “It’s always tough for it to end, but at some point it does. I told them they have nothing to hang their heads about. I’m proud of the young women they have become. … The sky’s the limit for them.”
OPRF
The Huskies (4-28) lost in the Class 4A Kenwood regional semifinal to the host Broncos 82-25, Feb. 18, ending coach Renee Brantley’s first full-time season.
“My girls played hard,” Brantley said. “Kenwood can easily win state if they make it out of [the Lyons sectional]. It’s a process and lesson for our girls, and they didn’t hold their heads down after the game; they were motivated to start spring workouts, go into the summer on a good note, and come back [next season] better.”
Tavia Allen and Genevieve Simkowski each scored a team-high five points and Taryn Draine had four points and four rebounds to lead OPRF.
In a regional quarterfinal, Feb. 15, Draine had 18 points, 10 rebounds, and five steals while Simkowski had 13 points and five steals in the Huskies’ 55-41 victory at Oak Lawn Richards.
“We played well,” Brantley said. “We kept our composure and led the majority of the way; we competed all four quarters and I was proud.”
Simkowski is one of three graduating seniors, along with Siena Alfonsi and Anna Breuer. Simkowski made the West Suburban Silver All-Conference team, averaging 6.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game and had 102 steals. She also made the WSC Silver All-Academic team along with Alfonsi and Breuer.
“I appreciate them for finishing what they started,” Brantley said of her seniors. “They never quit. They were great leaders and the glue to the program. I’m so thankful for them.”