Lee, Trinity shut down Glenbard South

With all of the of young talent in the Trinity program, the contributions of Alex Fanning and Lauren Lee are sometimes taken for granted.

The two seniors, who both played important roles for Trinity’s state third place team back in 2015-16, stepped up yet again against Glenbard South as the Blazers knocked off the No. 11 team in the area 41-31, holding the Raiders to their second lowest point total of the season.

“I love our defense, that’s how we’re going to win games,” said Trinity head coach Mike Valente. “To hold a tough team like that to 31 points? We’re happy we got out of that.”

Trinity’s success started on the defensive end, with the primary objective to stop (or at least slow down) the dynamic and versatile 6’2″ Maggie Bair.

The Blazers did that and then some, limiting Bair to just seven points for the entire evening, all of which came in the second quarter.

“That was all Lauren, she shuts people down, and she’s not afraid of anyone” said Valente. “It’s funny, a couple of games ago we were playing zone and a girls was lighting us up and Lauren went ‘Can’t we go man and I’ll take her?’ and the girl didn’t score the rest of the game.”

With Lee securing the perimeter and Fanning holding down the post against GBS’ Ally Daca, Trinity forced early turnovers that led to easy transition baskets to give the Blazers a 13-2 first quarter lead.

Trinity remained on the attack through the middle quarters of the game and didn’t let Bair’s seven point second quarter deter them from extending their lead before halftime.

The balanced Trinity offense continued to put pressure on GBS’ defense after halftime, but it was Lee (11 points) and Freshman Makiyah Williams, (eight points) who did the bulk of the scoring for the Blazers.

“Makiyah is going to be a stud,” said Valente. “She can shoot the ball, she just doesn’t in the game. I think she defers a lot to the older players but she’s a Freshman and you get those inconsistencies, but when she’s on, she’s pretty tough to guard.”

GBS did manage to outscore Trinity 12-5 in the final quarter, but the Blazers lead was never in any doubt, as they comfortably sealed the 41-31 win.

For a team that had a slow start to the season (albeit against good competition) Trinity has really started to come around since Christmas time with wins over Naperville Central, New Trier and Maine South, with their only losses coming against top-10 teams in Maine West and Mother McAuley.

“I think all of our girls are getting better. From the beginning of the year to now, everybody has gotten better,” said Valente. “We do turn the ball over too much and that’s how good teams will open up a lead on you, but if we’re more consistent with our effort and focus we will be good.”

Trinity will have over a week off before their next game against Resurrection Saturday Feb. 3. while GBS will travel to Lemont for a Friday night non-conference matchup.