The Trinity High School basketball team had a special 2025-26 season, going 26-11 and finishing third in the IHSA Class 3A tournament to gain the program’s second state trophy. With several key contributors set to return, the Blazers look to be strong again. At last week’s Windmill City Weekend Shootout, an NCAA Live Event held at Batavia High School, Trinity went 3-1.
“I was really proud of how we played in moments, especially the first day,” said Trinity coach Kim Coleman.
On June 18, Trinity defeated perennial powerhouse Whitney Young 32-29 in its first game, then rolled past St. Laurence 49-30 in the nightcap. The following day, the Blazers fell 49-39 to Bolingbrook, another traditional power, but rebounded to win their final game, 40-36, over Vernon Hills.
“I was happy with how (rising junior) Keyera Gamble led us with her leadership overall and on the court. I liked how she rebounded the ball, how she scored, and how she delegated and communicated with her teammates,” said Coleman, who also appreciated the steady play of rising senior point guard Destiny Sacluti, who will be entering her fourth varsity season, incoming freshmen Nayana Harper and Gianna McDougall, rising sophomore Destinie Roe, and rising junior Danae Hickman.
“We did pretty good, especially with the work we’ve been putting in,” Sacluti said. “I feel like we’re a really young team with a lot of potential and I’m really excited where this team is going to go. We’ve got some things to clean up, but we’re on the right track.”
As Trinity’s most experienced returnee, Sacluti is ready to hone her leadership skills.
“I’m trying to be that leader, especially with all the younger players we have coming in,” she said. “I want to be a good role model for them.”
As Trinity wraps up its summer session, Coleman has a very good vibe.
“I’m really excited about this team,” she said. “The one thing we’re missing right now is the toughness Zaria (Goins) brought, but everything else, we’re going to fulfill. This group has a chance to do something really special.”
Fenwick
Among the teams who plan on challenging Trinity in 3A is neighboring Fenwick. The Friars also competed in the WCW and went perfect in pool play with a 4-0 mark.
“We did pretty good as a team,” said Fenwick rising junior Avani Williams. “Our coach (Lenae Fergerson) wants our defense to be a staple this year and I think this weekend was a good look at that.”
On June 19, Fenwick routed Rockford Lutheran 48-20 and slid past Father McGivney Catholic 39-37. The next day, the Friars trounced Andrew 49-10 and edged out Joliet Central 38-35. Fergerson compared her team’s development to a jigsaw puzzle.
“We have a lot of new pieces,” she said, “so it’s like trying to put it together, and see how it works. It was good to play different competition than ourselves in practice every day, and to see what we need to continue working on and get better at.”
Among those who stood out are a pair of incoming freshmen: Kailyn Hardamon and Kori Thompson.
“I call them my junkyard dogs because they’re very aggressive on defense,” Fergerson said. “They take our defense to another level once I have to go to my bench. They’re adjusting really well and catching on to stuff, soaking it up like a sponge. They showed this weekend how much of an integral part they will be on our team.”
“They fit in really well,” Williams said. “It’s really important to build up our chemistry this summer.”
Williams, one of the state’s top prospects in the Class of 2028, adds she’s been watching film and working on strength training.
“I like being able to step up,” Williams said, “and becoming a bigger leader is really important. I just want to be able to meet all the expectations.”