OPRF High School’s Katara Watson is among the state’s top prospects in the class of 2029. In the past week, she’s lived up to her billing by helping to turn around the Huskies’ season.
Against visiting Jones, Dec. 15, Watson had 20 points to lead OPRF (2-7) to a 58-34 victory. Junior Taryn Draine tied Watson for scoring honors. Junior Marie Spencer and senior Tegan Smith each had five points and six rebounds for the Huskies, who won for the second time in three games following an 0-6 start to the season.
In a West Suburban Silver home game versus Proviso West, Dec. 9, Watson poured in 35 points in OPRF’s 55-32 victory. The Huskies begin play in the Loyola Academy Christmas Tournament on Dec. 22, versus Carmel.
OPRF boys
Coming off an impressive win over Fenwick in the Chicago Elite Classic, OPRF was hoping to keep the momentum going last week as it began West Suburban Silver play. But the Huskies weren’t able to do so as they dropped three consecutive games.
On Dec. 10, OPRF (4-4, 0-2 WSC Silver) fell to visiting York by the slimmest of margins, 60-59. Cam Woods had a career-high 28 points and George Gray added 10 for the Huskies. Then on Dec. 13 at Downers Grove North, Gray and Trent Williams each had nine points in a 58-42 defeat to the Trojans. Two nights later at Niles North in a non-conference game, Gray had 20 points, Williams 14, and D’Angelo Perkins 8. But their efforts weren’t enough as the Huskies allowed a season-high point total by an opponent in a 98-59 loss.
Following semester final exams this week, OPRF will look to get back on track at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament. The Huskies open against Joliet West, Dec. 29.
Fenwick girls
The Friars came into the season confident that they could be more competitive and successful within Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Red play. However, that ambition has yet to be realized as Fenwick (3-6) dropped a pair of league games last week.
On Dec. 11 at Mother McAuley, Avani Williams scored 22 points, grabbed five rebounds, and had three assists and five steals. But her outstanding effort came in a 61-48 defeat to the Mighty Macs.
Two nights earlier at home against Providence Catholic, Cammie Molis drilled four three-pointers and finished with 19 points. But the Friars fell to the Celtics 51-46.
Fenwick looks to snap its four-game losing streak when it faces Marian Central in the Marian Catholic Shootout, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m.
Fenwick boys
The Friars continue to experience a bumpy start to the season as they gradually work into the rotation seven players who are coming off the football team’s Class 5A state championship.
Last week, Fenwick fought hard in a pair of Chicago Catholic League games on the road but couldn’t pull out a victory in either. On Dec. 9, the Friars (3-5, 0-2 in CCL Blue) lost 58-57 at St. Rita and 60-54 at St. Laurence, Dec. 12. Keyonta Williams had 13 points and Jake Thies, one of the aforementioned football players, added 11 in the St. Laurence loss.
Fenwick looks to turn things around when it plays at Mount Carmel, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m.
Trinity
Zaria Goins had a game-high 20 points to lead the Blazers (8-2) past TF North 62-44 in the Showcase in the Park event at Kenwood, Dec. 13. Keyera Gamble had 16 points, 11 rebounds, and six blocks, and Destinie Roe added 13 points and three blocks.
On Dec. 11, Trinity got a measure of revenge against visiting Montini Catholic, who eliminated the Blazers from the postseason the last two years. Gamble (who also had 10 rebounds, five blocks, and three assists) and Chloe Santos scored 12 points each while Goins and Danae chipped in 10 points apiece in Trinity’s resounding 59-32 victory over the two-time defending Class 3A champion Broncos.
The Blazers host Whitney Young, Dec. 18, at 6:30 p.m., then meet Andrean (Indiana) in the Marian Catholic Shootout, Dec. 20.