Members of the New Trier boys basketball team celebrate their win over Loyola in the third round of the Thanksgiving tourney. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
Ho hum. Just another classic battle between these two rivals.
New Trier and Loyola Academy went at it hard in the third round of the New Trier/Loyola Academy Thanksgiving Tournament on Nov. 23.
In front of an overflowing and electric crowd, visiting New Trier pulled out a 56-54 win in overtime.
Nothing new. Last year, Loyola beat NT 52-49 on NT’s floor. Two years ago, NT lost to the Ramblers by six.
“Great crowd. Great energy. A great tradition,” said LA head coach Tom Livatino. “Congrats to New Trier.”
The Ramblers (2-1) had a chance to win it on the final shot of the game, but star senior guard Ramar Evans missed a three-point attempt from deep in the left corner as time ran out.
“I probably should’ve called a timeout — just to settle us down,” Livatino said. “But Ramar got a good look. And you know that he wants to take the last shot. He’s made plenty of them for us.”
Evans, who will play his college basketball at Division II Maryville University in St. Louis, finished as the game’s leading scorer (20 points). With 30 seconds left in overtime, the three-year starter hit a step-back three-pointer to cut NT’s lead to 56-54.
Evans had four threes in the game, including an NBA-range missile at the end of the third quarter.
“I liked the way we competed tonight,” said NT head coach Scott Fricke, “especially in an environment like this.”
The Trevians (2-1) put the game into the win column by making seven free throws in the extra session. The biggest tosses belonged to Teddy McGregor. The senior popped in two with 42 seconds left to put the Trevians ahead 56-51.
Spencer Boehm (8 points) and Andrew Kirkpatrick (11 points) also made two free throws each in the OT period.
NT’s unsung hero was James Connors. The senior came off the bench and nailed three three-pointers.
“He’s a deadeye shooter,” said Fricke.
The stage wasn’t too big for the 6-foot-5 senior. Two of Connor’s threes came in the second quarter in the right corner — with the LA fans section (mostly football players) hovering over and around him.
“It was loud. It was chaotic,” said Connors.
After his second make, Connors turned to the crowd — just a little — before heading down court.
“I had some fun with it,” he said.
It was subtle.
“I wasn’t going to start anything with them,” he added.
Connors’ third three-pointer came with 3:31 left in the fourth quarter and gave the Trevians a one-point advantage, 47-46.
That one especially felt good to Connors. A few minutes earlier, Connors fired up an air ball.
“They were getting on me pretty good after the air ball,” said Connors.
Game Rating: A-
Referee Rating: B-
New Trier Game Balls: Andrew Kirkpatrick (PG), Ciaran Brayboy (C)
Loyola Game Balls: Ramar Evans (G), Kevin Cunningham (G)
New Trier Player of the Game: Kirkpatrick
Loyola Player of the Game: Evans
New Trier Stat Leaders: Kirkpatrick (11 points, 4 assists), Brayboy (10 points, 5 rebounds), Spencer Boehm (8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists), James Connor (9 points, 3 3-pointers), Aaron Peltz (7 points, 4 rebounds), Teddy McGregor (7 points)
Loyola Stat Leaders: Evans (20 points, 4 3-pointers, 6 rebounds, 5 assists), Cunningham (14 points, 5 rebounds), Matt Lynch (8 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists), Julian DeGuzman (8 points, 5 rebounds)
New Trier Unsung Hero: Connors
Loyola Unsung Hero: Lynch
Notable: The tourney’s championship round will be held on Nov. 26. Due to the tiebreaker, host LA will meet Benet Academy (3-0) in the first-place game at 4:30 p.m. NT will take on U-High (2-1) in the third-place game at 3 p.m. Lake Forest (0-3) and Mather (0-3) will face off at 12 noon.
LA’S Ramar Evans (No. 25) drives on New Trier’s James Connor. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
Brian Conaghan goes up for a rebound against LA’s Ramar Evans, PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
Matt Sechman of the Ramblers (No. 10) guards New Trier’s Spencer Boehm. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
Ciaran Brayboy of the Trevians puts up a shot. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
Loyola’s Matt Lynch drives against NT’s Brian Conaghan. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
NT’s Spencer Boehm puts up a shot while being defended by LA’s Julian DeGuzman. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
Julian DeGuzman of the Ramblers goes to the hoop while NT’s Spencer Boehm defends. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER