RECAP: NT 44, GBS 33
New Trier’s Jacqueline Vinson (right) applies pressure on Glenbrook South’s Liz LaPierre. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER
You’ve seen it before.
And you’ll see it again.
New Trier head coach Teri Rodgers went to one of her staples to close out a win over Glenbrook South on Dec. 14.
With less than three minutes left to play — and her team leading by eight (38-30) — Rodgers called timeout and instructed her players to run the “Four Corners Offense”.
It worked … to near perfection.
The Trevians hit seven free throws in the final 47 seconds to seal a 44-33 victory over visiting Glenbrook South. NT is now 11-1 on the season. The Titans moved to 8-3.
The famed “Four Corners Offense” originally came off the clipboard of legendary University of North Carolina coach Dean Smith.
But the genesis of Rodgers’ version can be traced back to her days at Libertyville High School: Tom Murphy.
“That’s what we did in high school. I learned from [coach] Tom Murphy,” said Rodgers, a former standout point guard for the Wildcats. “Five out and look for the best shot.”
After the TO, Rodgers made a couple of personnel changes. The “Five In” included Cate Murdock, Maggie Murdock, Nicole Kaspi, Ava Zaslavsky and Taite Ryan. Starter Rebecca Goldman also was inserted down the stretch.
“I’m confident with our ability to handle the ball, get open and hit free throws,” said Rodgers. “It worked well tonight.
“And,” she added. “It’s something that we work a lot on [in practice]. We’re just trying to get better at it.”
Maggie Murdock (10 points, 4 rebounds) especially made it work. She went 4-for-4 from the line in closing seconds.
Cate Murdock ended up with 11 points and six rebounds, while Goldman had 11 points, two rebounds and three steals.
NT’s leading rebounder was Ryan with nine.
The game’s top scorer was GBS junior Libbie Vanderveen (13 points). She nailed two three-pointers in the fourth quarter.
NT’s Game Balls: Maggie Murdock (Sr., G), Cate Murdock (Sr. G), Rebecca Goldman (Sr., G)
GBS’s Game Balls: Libbie Vanderveen (Jr., G)
Player of the Game: Maggie Murdock
NT’s Stat Leaders:
— Maggie Murdock (11 points, 4 rebounds)
— Goldman (11 points, 3 steals, 2 rebounds)
— Cate Murdock (10 points, 6 rebounds)
— Taite Ryan (9 rebounds)
— Jacqueline Vinson (4 points)
GBS’s Stat Leaders:
— Vanderveen (13 points, 4 rebounds)
— Lizzy Shaw (8 points)
— Kristen Ralston (6 points, 3 rebounds)
— Makayla Stadler (4 points, 4 steals, 3 rebounds, 3 assists)
— Liz LaPierre (2 points, 11 rebounds)
Unsung Heroes: Vinson, Stadler
NT’s Maggie Murdock slaps the ball away from GBS’s Kristin Ralston. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER
GBS’s Libbie Vanderveen (right) rises up to block a shot against NT’s Tinah Hong. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER
GBS’s Kristin Ralston and NT’s Ava Zaslavsky battle for a rebound. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER
GBS’s Makayla Stadler (right) drives against NT’s Maggie Murdock. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER