Trinity High School has become the area’s most successful girls basketball program, as five consecutive IHSA regional championships attest. But the Blazers have not been able to break through to win their first sectional title since 2016, when they placed third in the state in Class 3A.
Trinity once again has high hopes for a postseason run. The Blazers (20-10) are the top seed in their own Class 3A sectional and opened with a regional semifinal against Pritzker at Elmwood Park, Feb. 17, after deadline. Assuming a victory, Trinity meets Elmwood Park or Bulls Prep in the regional title game, Feb. 19, at 6 p.m.
Head coach Kim Coleman likes how things look going into the playoffs.
“I’m proud of the way my team competes with pride, intensity, passion, and love for one another,” she said. “I think we left some food on the table, but we’re blessed to be able to compete and work toward our goal.”
The Blazers are led by seniors Zaria Goins, a four-year varsity player, and Chloe Santos, who a three-year varsity player. Both made this year’s Girls Catholic Athletic Conference All-Conference Team along with sophomore Keyera Gamble (10.1 points per game, 8.9 rebounds per game). Goins (10.3 ppg, 5 rpg) has made All-Conference the past three seasons and Santos (7.8 ppg, 5 rpg), who recently passed 1,000 career points, made it the past two.
Although Trinity is the top seed, Coleman is not focused on it. Rather, she’s taking all opponents seriously.
“I really don’t put a lot of energy into it because at the end of the day, you have to survive and advance no matter the level of the opponent,” Coleman said.
She added that Trinity’s key to postseason success will be playing as a unit.
“We need to play for each other, prioritize defensive connectiveness, ball movement, and center our love for the game,” Coleman said, “and, most importantly, have fun. That alone will take us where we want to go.”
Fenwick
One of the top sectional challengers for Trinity is neighboring Fenwick. The Friars (13-15), the third seed, enter the playoffs on a roll, having won six of their past seven games.
“I am pleased with the understanding and the determination to play hard and compete no matter what,” said Fenwick coach Lenae Fergerson. “That was something I think we struggled with early on in the season and now we have a better understanding of what playing for 32 minutes and the importance of that means.”
Fenwick saw two players named to the GCAC All-Conference team. Sophomore Avani Williams made it for the second consecutive season, averaging 13.5 ppg and 6.9 rpg. Senior Cammie Molis averaged 9.1 ppg.
Fergerson thinks Fenwick is prepared for the playoffs given the rigorous schedule it faced.
“Both our Thanksgiving and Christmas tournaments had some really good teams, which I think helped prepare us along the way,” she said. “Our strength of schedule will play a part in helping us be ready for the regional and sectional rounds.”
Fenwick is hosting a regional and faced Intrinsic Charter on Feb. 17, after deadline. A win would advance the Friars to the title game, Feb. 19, at 6:30 p.m., against either Amundsen or ITW Speer.
In order to make a deep run, Fergerson stresses that Fenwick must focus on the little things that often make the difference in the tournament.
“Rebounding, defending, executing, and playing together for 32 minutes,” Fergerson said.
OPRF
It was another difficult regular season for the Huskies as they finished 6-22. But coach Renee Brantley looks at it as a learning experience.
“We lost some competitive games that I felt we could’ve won but played hard,” she said. “I’m pleased about how some players have stepped up into new roles. I think we just need to learn how to put four quarters together.”
A bright spot for OPRF was the play of freshman Katara Watson and junior Taryn Draine. Watson, named to the West Suburban Silver All-Conference team, averaged 13.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.4 assists per game and 1.8 steals per game while Draine averaged 10.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.2 apg, and 2.5 spg.
The Huskies are seeded 15th in the Class 4A Maine South Sectional. OPRF faced host DePaul Prep in a regional semifinal, Feb. 17, after deadline.
“It’s a very competitive regional,” Brantley said. “I’m excited to see how well we compete. [We need to] rebound, take care of the ball, be aggressive, and play four quarters.”
