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38 | December 5, 2019 | The wilmette beacon SPORTS wilmettebeacondaily.com Loyola holds off late New Trier rally Michael Wojtychiw Sports Editor It’s been four years since Loyola defeated New Trier in the two schools’ Thanksgiving tournament. The previous three losses had been by three, five and two points, respectively. Loyola turned the tables on the Trevians, however, taking down the hosts 46- 41 Nov. 27 in Winnetka. Coincidentally that was the score in which the Trevians defeated the Ramblers in 2017 as well. “This meant the world to us,” Jordan Kwiecinski said. “We’ve all been talking about this game since the end of last year and this was a game we knew we had to win because it’s probably the last time we’ll get to play New Trier this year and for the seniors the last time we’ll get to play New Trier ever. “I’ve lost to them the last two years in this game, so winning this one meant a lot to us.” The traditional Black Wednesday game isn’t one that ever seems to be like a third-game-of-theseason type of game, with the intensity of a game far deeper into the playoffs. And for both teams, it’s exactly what they need this early on. “That’s a sectional (type of game),” New Trier coach Scott Fricke said. “It’s exactly what our team needed. We have never been in a spot like that before. Last year when we played in those games, these guys weren’t playing, they were on the bench watching. “The more we can put this team into situations like that, we can get better.” The game started out really slow, with neither team really getting into an offensive flow for the first quarter. However, the missed shots and turnovers came less and less in the second quarter as both teams got more comfortable in their offenses and were able to string plays together. Kwiecinski really stood out in the second period, scoring 11 of his teamhigh 13 points in the second quarter, including a couple of deep 3-pointers, helping the Ramblers build a 10-point halftime lead, 22-12. Last year, Kwiecinski became the Ramblers’ defensive stopper but really worked on his offensive game during the offseason. “I’m more confident shooting the ball and worked on setting my feet quicker and getting my release faster was a big part of becoming a better shooter,” he said. “Also changing my mindset to ‘dominate everybody, every play.’ “I was doing my best to pick my guys up because I knew we were struggling offensively, so I was just trying to find a spot where I could fill it up and carry us if I had to.” The Ramblers defense did a good job limiting much of what the Trevians could do, even into the third quarter, holding the hosts scoreless for the first 2 minutes, 10 seconds of the period, all while building the lead to 27-12 after a three-point play by Bennett Kwiecinski. Every time the Ramblers would try to make a run to put the game out of reach, the Trevians would respond, getting the game down to 38-35 with 3:37 remaining, but the Trevians could get no closer. One thing that kept the Trevians in the game was their ability to convert on plays right out of a timeout, especially the backdoor cut. It was a play that worked at least four times, giving the Ramblers fits all night long. “We were running a lot of different things because they were pressuring us,” Fricke said. “We were trying to loosen them up and it seemed like it was really worked. We’ve got guys who can really shoot so teams have to guard us and the back cut it open. “But that’s what got us back into the game, no question. And that’s what we do. We try to spread teams out and back cut them.” Both Loyola and New Trier said they’ll use this game in a way of being able to help figure out where they’re at through the week’s first set of Posted to WilmetteBeaconDaily.com 7 days ago Loyola’s Matt Enghauser drives to the basket while being defended by New Trier’s Grant Feldman Nov. 27 in Winnetka. Tracy Allen/22nd Century Media games. “This is really a measuring stick for the beginning of the season,” Jordan Kwiecinski said. “It helps us know where we’re at in this game. In the past couple years, we’ve had a chance to win the game at the end but didn’t. If we’re in a place like that, it means we’re in a good place.” “We start off the first week of practice and had a really good week,” Fricke said. “Then we didn’t have a good second week. It was mainly because we needed to start playing against other teams instead of beating each other up in practice. “These kids work hard and they’re physical. This game showed us we can play against highlevel teams, play in these games.” Bennett Kwiecinski had 10 points and Will Pujals added eight points, while John Carragher scored 19 for the Trevians. BRATSCHI PLUMBING 801 OAK STREET, WINNETKA www.bratschiinc.com 847.446.1421 SERVING THE NORTH SHORE SINCE 1937 Has your water heater caught a COLD? Lic. 055-004618 FOLLOW BRATSCHI PLUMBING!
wilmettebeacondaily.com sports the wilmette beacon | December 5, 2019 | 39 Posted to WilmetteBeaconDaily.com 6 days ago New Trier alumni help raise money for Jim Finks Community Sports Foundation 22nd Century Media FILE PHOTO 1st-and-3 THREE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK 1. Jordan Kwiecinski (above). The Loyola boys basketball player was named MVP of the Loyola/New Trier Thanksgiving Tournament after helping lead Loyola to the title. 2. Laura Strenk. The Regina junior girls basketball player scored 15 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the Panthers’ win over Bremen. 3. Max Lee. The New Trier Green goalie shut out Barrington to help the Trevians win the Loyola Thanksgiving Tournament. Gary Larsen Freelance Reporter Every Saturday morning for nearly the last four decades, a large group of former high school and college hockey players from the Winnetka area have met at 6:45 a.m. to spend an hour playing pick-up hockey. On Nov. 27, roughly 60 of them gathered at the Winnetka Ice Arena to help raise money for the Jim Finks Community Sports Foundation, towards the creation of after-school programs for at-risk Chicago youth. Winnetka resident Doug Sharfstein, a former New Trier hockey player who graduated in 1987, was happy to be a part of the day’s event. “It’s a good cause and 2019 PressBox Picks in the inner-city, there’s just never enough support,” Sharfstein said. “It’s so tough there for so many families and kids who just don’t have enough opportunities.” Jim Finks was a former general manager for the Chicago Bears and an NFL Hall-of-Famer who passed away in 1994. His son Tom also played hockey for New Trier in the early 1980s, and was later a team captain at Dartmouth College. Finks grew up playing organized sports, and bemoans that fact that innercity kids in Chicago are missing out on the impact that sports can have on young lives. “We all grew up as competitive athletes, with the benefit of having coaches in our lives in addition Two players vie for the puck during the Jim Finks Community Sports Foundation fundraiser Nov. 27 in Winnetka. Gary Larsen/22nd Century Media to parents and teachers,” Finks said. “We all believe that coaches are an important part of your childhood and development, and that kids can benefit from programs that provide those opportunities. There’s just a huge vacuum and the foundation is trying to fill those voids.” Chicago school students face a multitude of challenges. There’s a high level of gun violence in Chicago, gang problems, and school budgets that can’t provide for after-school programming. Add the fact that many children live in singleparent homes where that parent can be working two jobs, and adult supervision can be completely lacking. Please see hockey, 35 8-0 championship weekend gives Coughlin bragging rights Joe Coughlin Publisher Experience always wins out — well, behind talent. And wealth. And fame. But after those things, experience is No. 1. And that’s the short story of how I conquered four young-ins to become champion of this year’s PressBox Picks. Using keen insight gained over hours and hours (and hours) of walking the sidelines at high school football games, I upended my compatriots down the stretch to take the crown. It started midseason with upset picks — that were unreasonably chastised in the office — like Glenbrook South over Glenbrook North and New Trier over Evanston. That gave me the lead, but with talented youngsters breathing down my neck, I saved my best for last: A perfect championship weekend (8-0 in state-title games), powered by the pièce de résistance, my alma mater Lincoln-Way East winning Class 8A. There are a lot of people to thank so I’ll try but I think these editors are getting sick of my gloating and may just cut me off befo...... Listen Up “This is really a measuring stick for the beginning of the season.” Jordan Kwiecinski — Loyola boys basketball player after his team’s win against New Trier Nov. 27. tunE in What to watch this week BOYS SWIMMING AND DIVING: The Ramblers boys team hosts its first meet at the new pool. • Loyola hosts St. Patrick at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, in Wilmette. Index 36 - This Week In 35 - Athlete of the Week Fastbreak is compiled by Sports Editor Michael Wojtychiw, m.wojtychiw@22ndcenturymedia.com.
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