GIRLS HOOPS RECAP: NT 65, LA 59
New Trier’s Ava Zaslavsky takes it to the hoop against Loyola’s Julia Martinez. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
This was a 50-50 game.
A toss-up.
As expected, New Trier and Loyola Academy played a hard 32 minutes on Nov. 16 in a second-round tournament game in the Ramblers’ gymnasium.
In fact, the game was dead even, when LA senior guard Addie Morrill drilled a three-pointer to knot the game 50-50 with 4:49 left to play in the fourth quarter.
But, the game eventually went New Trier’s way thanks to some late heroics by Cate Murdock. The senior guard tallied nine of her 19 points, including seven in the final three minutes, to spark her team to a well-played 65-59 victory.
“We took a [late] timeout, and we told them to go to the basket and score off the dribble,” said NT head coach Teri Rodgers. “And that’s exactly what Cate did.”
Murdock has an offensive bent to her game. Last year, she earned all-conference honors with a 10.9 scoring average.
She was part of a balanced attack. Three other Trevians — Maggie Murdock, Rebecca Goldman and Taite Ryan — scored in 11 points apiece. Jacqueline Vinson had eight points.
“I feel like our players have taken to the concept of sharing the ball,” said Rodgers. “They make the extra pass. They’re unselfish.”
Ryan, who joined the team after a long volleyball season (NT advanced to the IHSA supersectional), was in midseason form. In addition to scoring points in each quarter, she ended up with 12 rebounds, one block and one steal.
“Taite and Jacqueline played great,” Rodgers said. “Our defensive effort inside was good. I thought we did a good job against [Lilly Wehman and Celia Satter].”
The bright spot for the Ramblers (1-1) was their long-range shooting. They made 12 threes.
Senior sharpshooter Erin Dillon knocked down four three-pointers to lead LA with 15 points.
Morrill (9 points) had three threes, while Satter scored eight points on two threes.
“Shooting the basketball is one of our strengths,” said LA head coach Jeremy Schoenecker. “We let Julia do her thing. If you’re open, she’ll find you.”
Even though she struggled to finish a few of her drives, Martinez played with her usual energy — and skill.
The junior star nearly had a triple double: 12 points, 11 assists, 9 rebounds and 5 steals.
“She’s a stat stuffer,” said Schoenecker.
“We’re expecting a lot from her,” the coach added. “We needed some ‘And Ones’ from her tonight. Those will come.”
NT Game Balls: Cate Murdock (Sr., G), Taite Ryan (Jr., F)
LA Game Balls: Erin Dillon (Sr., G), Julia Martinez (Jr., G)
Game MVP: Cate Murdock
NT Stat Leaders:
— Cate Murdock (19 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals)
— Ryan (11 points, 12 rebounds)
— Maggie Murdock (11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists)
— Rebecca Goldman (11 points, 5 rebounds)
— Jacqueline Vinson (8 points, 3 rebounds)
LA Stat Leaders:
— Dillon (15 points, 3 3-pointers)
— Martinez (12 points, 9 rebounds, 11 assists, 5 steals)
— Lilly Wehman (9 points, 5 rebounds)
— Addie Morrill (9 points, 5 rebounds)
— Celia Satter (8 points, 4 rebounds)
LA’S Celia Satter (No. 25) battles the defense of NT’s Gaby Malnati. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
Addie Morrill of the Ramblers drives with the ball. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
LA’s Julia Martinez draws a foul from NT’s Maggie Murdock. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
Taite Ryan helped the NT cause with 11 points and 12 rebounds. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
Jacqueline Vinson of the Trevians tries to beat LA’s Lilly Wehman off the dribble. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
Loyola’s Alex Guzzardo tracks down a loose ball while NT’s Taite Ryan looks on. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER