New Trier’s senior leadership holds off late Loyola run

Despite the chilly late November weather outside, there was a sectional like atmosphere up on the Northshore as two long time rivals faced off.

New Trier got the better of Loyola this time around, holding off a Rambler rally for 55-52 win in the New Trier/Loyola Thanksgiving tournament.

The entire game was closely contested throughout even though New Trier led from the opening tip through three quarters.

The Trevians maintained control throughout the first half thanks in part to the three point shooting of  6’4” senior Charles Sweat off the New Trier bench.

After securing a 14-9 lead after the first quarter, the second quarter saw sloppy play as both teams converted on five consecutive turnovers and several missed layups but the Trevians maintained a 24-17 lead.

Loyola came out with renewed energy after the halftime break and after an 8 point run, cut into the New Trier lead, but the Trevians fought right back.

Led by the senior trio of Sweat, Nolan Osher, and Sam Silverstein, New Trier managed to keep a four point lead heading into the final frame.

New Trier quickly doubled their lead early in the quarter, but nine straight points from Loyola gave the Ramblers a slim lead.

Down by one with less than a minute to go New Trier went to their bread and butter and entered the ball to four year varsity player Spencer Boehm who willed the ball in to take a 51-50 that the Trevians would ever relinquish.

“If you would have told me that Ciaran (Brayboy) was basically going to be out of the game in foul trouble and not score and contribute and for us to hold on, that’s what satisfying,” said New Trier head coach Scott Fricke.

“People know Silverstein, his stock is rising quickly, he put the team on his back.  I’m just happy that we faced adversity like we are going to do during the season and we held out head together by making some free throws and executing down the stretch.”

New Trier will play for the tournament championship at 4:30 PM on Saturday at Loyola while the Ramblers will play in the third place game at 3:00 PM also at Loyola.