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New Trier basketball season in photos

Game 25, at Evanston Feb. 3: After pregame introductions, the New Trier players typically convened at the key in front of their bench for a pregame talk. Gjertsen would lead the meetings, where players discussed their mind-set for the game. Gjertsen would keep the mood light with occasional jokes but the intention was always purposeful. “You can really see the fire in her eyes when she talks about the teams we are playing, the teams we need to beat,” said Daniela Sirott, a junior on the team. Once the speech was over, the Trevs would slap the floor to signify it was game time. (Ed Gjertsen)

By Giuliana Allegrotti

New Trier coach Teri Rodgers walked out of the locker room, her eyes still red from crying. New Trier had just lost the regional championship to Maine West. Their season was over.

“You couldn’t have been around a better group,” Rodgers said through her sniffles. “I’ve been doing this for 19 years. This was a special group.”

The Trevians finished their 2016-17 season with 17-11 losses (4-5 in conference play). But to look at just their wins and losses is an incomplete story.

New Trier was a team defined by their chemistry and dedication. When they struggled early in the year, going 2-4 over two weeks in December, they didn’t splinter. They stuck together, rode it out, and relished in a good amount of success.

The season is over now, but Ed Gjertsen, whose daughter Katherine was a senior guard on the team, documented many of the key moments behind the long lens of his camera.

Relive some of the Trevs’ best, funniest, and most heartbreaking moments of their season.

Team retreat, Nov. 12: Before the New Trier Trevians played any games this year, they spent two days and one night in Lake Geneva, Wis. for a team retreat. They did ropes courses and worked on problem solving, but they also spent time talking about what they wanted to get out of their season. Team captain Katherine Gjertsen and manager Ashley Martinez, both seniors, were focused on making the younger girls on the team feel more comfortable. “This is the closest our senior group has ever been,” Martinez said. “There’s only six of us. When we go out to dinner, we try to include the younger girls. We have to nurture them.” (Teri Rodgers)
Game 1, at Phillips High School Nov. 15: New Trier’s season began in November with a trip to the South Side of Chicago against Wendell Phillips Academy High School. The Trevians beat Phillips handily, 70-25, thanks in large part to the shooting of Maggie Murdock (#20). Murdock and her sister Cate combined for nine 3-pointers and 33 points in the victory.
(Ed Gjertsen)
Game 2, at Bogan High School Nov. 18: The 24 mile trip to Bogan High School took two hours and the Trevs spent their time on the team bus, talking and listening to a playlist comprised of Rihanna, Beyoncé, and the Spice Girls. The in-bus dance party wasn’t enough to inspire New Trier, though, as it came out flat against the Tigers and scored just four points in the first quarter. Early in the game, coach Teri Rogers (in green) told her team they were playing frantic. “Trust the offense,” she said. Ultimately, the Trevians fells to Bogan 54-50.
(Ed Gjertsen)
Game 25, at Evanston Feb. 3: After pregame introductions, the New Trier players typically convened at the key in front of their bench for a pregame talk. Gjertsen would lead the meetings, where players discussed their mind-set for the game. Gjertsen would keep the mood light with occasional jokes but the intention was always purposeful. “You can really see the fire in her eyes when she talks about the teams we are playing, the teams we need to beat,” said Daniela Sirott, a junior on the team. Once the speech was over, the Trevs would slap the floor to signify it was game time. (Ed Gjertsen)
Game 15, vs Maine South Dec. 28 – Dundee Crown Charger Classic: During a game against Maine South, a ball got lodged in between the basket and backboard. Eric Duffett, the New Trier assistant coach who stands around 6-foot-4-inches, volunteered to jump and get the ball. The New Trier girls were especially excited because they knew how much Duffett works on his dunking ability. When he whiffed on his first try, the public-address announcer jokingly booed him. (Ed Gjertsen)
Game 13, vs St. Charles North Dec. 26 – Dundee Crown Charger Classic: It was often raucous on the New Trier bench, especially when the team won. Nicole Kaspi (#40) was an especially emphatic supporter of her teammates. After a made three, she and Daniela Sirott (not pictured) often would remain standing and act like they were eating cereal from imaginary bowls. Kaspi and her teammates had much to cheer about against St. Charles North, as New Trier won 62-48. The Trevs stayed hot, winning seven of their next 10, including a 91-29 win over Niles North. (Ed Gjertsen)
Game 19, vs Niles West Jan. 13: Senior Kristie Kalis emerged throughout the season as one of New Trier’s most reliable offensive threats. Kalis finished with 18 points against Niles West, all scored in the first half. The Trevs beat Niles West 66-40, six weeks after falling to the Wolves 52-45. “We’re a whole new team, it’s really unbelievable,” junior forward Jacqueline Vinson said. “The great thing about us is everyone has the ability to shoot and we have confidence in everyone. We trust each other.” (Ed Gjertsen)
Game 23, at Niles North Jan. 27: New Trier’s offensive onslaught at Niles North allowed junior guard Daniela Sirott, a mainstay on the bench for the Trevians, to get into the game in the waning minutes. The lack of playing time doesn’t affect Sirott in a typical way. “I’ve learned there are still things I can bring to the team,” Sirott said. “In practice if you play hard you make the people who play better.” Listen to more of Sirott’s unique perspective here.
(Ed Gjertsen)
Game 26, vs Maine South Feb. 10: On Senior Night at New Trier, the Trevians honored six members of their team (front row from left): Ashley Martinez, Katherine Gjertsen, Kristie Kalis, Katy Symanietz, Anna Hughes, and Margaret Hughes. “It’s never been about them [the seniors],” Rodgers said. “Nobody needs to be the star or the hero, it’s really about the team.” (Stefanie Ryan)
Game 28, at Maine West Feb. 16 – Regional Championship: After a win over Niles West in the regional semifinal, New Trier played in front of the biggest and most hostile crowd it saw all year. New Trier took on Maine West, a team it had beaten by a point back in December, for the chance to cut down the nets and move onto the sectional playoffs. The Trevians started the game slower than usual and played especially stagnate offensively. But they were able to settle into the game in second half and pull within five points at the start of the fourth quarter. Still down five with 42.9 seconds left, the New Trier girls still had a look of belief in themselves and each other that they had all year. It wasn’t enough though, the Trevs fell 46-38. (Ed Gjertsen)

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