LA GRANGE — Fenwick was unable to weather the 1-2 punch of Trinity’s Annie McKenna and Kaitlyn Aylward when the teams met Friday for the regional title at Lyons.
Aylward scored the first seven points for the Blazers, who never trailed and rolled to a 69-50 victory in LaGrange.
The junior dominated the first half with 18 of her 20 points.
“It felt awesome, especially because last game I started off slow,” Aylward said. “Tonight I wanted to make sure I was focused and got my team going right from the start. I was happy with myself and also my teammates.”
McKenna took over in the second half. The junior guard scored 16 of her game-high 26 points after intermission, as Trinity (25-4) led by double-digits throughout.
“If one of us is on in the first half, we try to get the other person on in the second half,” Aylward said. “We would like to have both of us on in both halves, but it is not always possible.”
McKenna hit all seven shots she attempted in the second half, including a 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter.
“We tried to get it down in the post (early), because we felt we had the height advantage and it opened up everything else on the perimeter,” McKenna said. “It was great. They cannot guard us both, so once they start focusing on the perimeter, we have the inside (game), and vice versa.”
Fenwick (13-18) scored 19 points in the third quarter, but could not survive 11 first-half turnovers and just seven points in the first quarter.
“When we settled down, we made a little run,” Fenwick coach Dave Power said. “But they are too good at spreading the floor and making the easy pass. Once we got behind, I knew we were going to be in trouble.
“I would have liked to play a much better first half. Even when were down 10 or 12, I think we could have made a nice comeback. We have done it before, but it was just too much energy to try to dig out of it.”
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With Fenwick joining Trinity in the GCAC Red next season, the showdown could mark the beginning of an intense rivalry between neighboring schools.
“(With) rivalries, anything can happen,” McKenna said. “So I am glad we came out with energy and got a lead.”
Junior guard Deja Cage led the Friars with 20 points, including 11 in the third quarter when she knocked down two 3-pointers.
Hinsdale Central and Proviso East meet at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Morton Regional championship to determine who will meet Trinity at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Young Sectional semifinals.
Patrick Kelly is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press