Trinity's defense too much for Fenton
Coach Tim Anderson and the Fenton Bison knew they had their work cut out for them entering Monday night's Class 3A Trinity sectional semifinal contest against the host Blazers, the tourney's No. 1 seed.
The Bison hung with Trinity - ranked 10th in the Associated Press Class 3A state poll - throughout most of the first half. However, the Blazers' combination of full court pressure and in-your-face man-to-man defense got the best of Fenton in the second half, and Trinity ended the Bison's season with a 42-25 victory.
Trinity (23-9) advances to Thursday night's sectional championship game against the winner of tonight's semifinal matchup between Guerin and Marshall.
Anderson said his team was disappointed afterward, but he added that the Bison have nothing to hang their heads about.
"I'm just so proud of these kids," said Anderson of the Bison, who finished 14-19. "I mean, it's not just a matter of being happy we're here. I think they wanted a little more from themselves. I'm not disappointed in them, though."
The Blazers held senior McKall Pugliese and her teammates in check all evening. Pugliese, however, did connect on a three in the first quarter, giving her 105 for the season. She goes into the IHSA record books tied with Kassie Drew of Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin for 11th place for most 3-pointers in a season.
"She's going to play next year," Anderson said. "She's got a couple of places (in mind where) she's definitely going to play. Who wouldn't want somebody who can shoot threes like that?"
Fenton came within 1 point of the Blazers twice during the first half. Michelle McEvoy sank two of three free throws just before the first-quarter buzzer after she was fouled attempting a three. That made the score 10-9 Trinity.
Midway through the second quarter, Katherine McEvoy drove inside for a bucket which made it 13-12. But that would be the closest Fenton would get to Trinity the rest of the night.
The Blazers went on a 7-0 run from that point, then continued to build on their lead.
"It was a tough loss," said Pugliese, one of two seniors on the team, along with Missy Santagata. "We tried our best and we never gave up. They're very aggressive."
"Their defense (Trinity's) is just so physical," Anderson said. "We only have so many things that we can do against it. I told them, 'If I had something else I could show you how to do, I'd show you.' But we have to shoot well. You're going to get bumps and bruises; you're going to get knocked around, and I thought we held up. They kind of got the better of us in the second half, though. They're a good team."
The McEvoy sisters each had 7 points to lead Fenton. Trinity's Megan Podkowa, a 6-foot-1 sophomore, was the only player in double figures with 12 points.
"They never quit," Anderson said of his team. "Even at the end (tonight), they're still playing hard. That's how we have to do things. We sold them on that, and they bought (into) it.
"There was no guarantee you're always going to win, but you're always going to be able to compete. And to me that's the name of the game. It's all about competing. There weren't too many times this season when we didn't compete."
Even though her season, and prep career, is officially over, Pugliese will wear the Fenton uniform at least one more time. Before Tuesday's game, she advanced to sectional finals of the Country Financial Three Point Shootout, which will take place prior to Thursday night's sectional final.
Pugliese will compete against seven other contestants. If she makes it as one of the top four finalists out of the Trinity Sectional, she will compete at the Three Point Shootout finals during the Class 3A and Class 4A state tournament at Illinois State's Redbird Arena March 5-6.