New Trier junior Katherine Gjertsen was adamant the reporter had the wrong player.
“Don’t you mean Kathryn Pedi?” said Gjertsen, referring to the senior starting guard. “Are you sure you want me?”
After all, Gjertsen didn’t start, didn’t score and didn’t have much written down next to her name in the official scorebook. Yet, it could be argued that the guard was as instrumental as any player in the Trevians’ 62-61 win over Evanston on Friday, Feb. 5, in a Central Suburban South matchup in Winnetka.
With 9.4 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and New Trier leading 62-61, Gjertsen stole an in-bounds pass underneath the basket Evanston was shooting on and got fouled. Although she missed the front end of a one-and-one, the flip of the court left the Wildkits, who are ranked No. 10 by the baiduhai, with little time to take a high-percentage, last-second shot. Evanston (21-4, 7-2) had to settle for a long 3-point attempt by junior guard Savannah Norfleet. The shot hit the front of the rim and No. 8 New Trier (23-4, 9-0) prevailed.
“That play down the stretch is what Gjertsen is all about,” said New Trier senior forward Jeannie Boehm, a Harvard commit and a McDonald’s All-American. “She gives so much to the team. I’m so impressed by her. That play at the end is who she is.”
Once Gjertsen finally understood the reporter had the right player, she admitted it was her first interview after a basketball game. After a few playful words from her passing teammates, Gjertsen was ready to go.
“I’m a defensive player,” she said. “That’s where I make my contributions. I try and keep the energy up.”
After playing her first two seasons on the sophomore team, Gjertsen was promoted to varsity as someone who “does the dirty work,” according to New Trier coach Teri Rodgers. Gjertsen’s role increased when senior point guard Haley Greer suffered a herniated disc in her back. Greer, a Colgate recruit, hasn’t played since Monday, Dec. 21.
“It would be erroneous to say she’s the only one like that on our team,” Rodgers said of Gjertsen. “[Senior guard] Shayle Arenson, [senior guard] Alison Borsotti do the same stuff. They know their roles, and they do anything they can to win. They play to their strengths.”
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Offense is not one of Gjertsen’s strengths, and that’s something she volunteered near the beginning of the interview. But it’s a part of her game that she continues to work on. She often will stay after practice to take extra shots, New Trier assistant coach Eric Duffett said.
“Anything I can to keep improving, I will do,” Gjertsen said. “Even if it’s only for 10 minutes, I will do it. But I play with great offensive players. They are amazing.”
Although lacrosse is Gjertsen’s primary sport — she has verbally committed to play the sport at Stanford — she said she enjoys basketball too much to focus on lacrosse full time.
“I am so happy I am out here playing basketball,” Gjertsen said. “This is so awesome. I know I am not going to play it in college, so I am having as much fun as I can.”
Matt Harness co-hosts a golf podcast called Teeing Off. Find it on Twitter (@Teeing__Off) or at www.facebook.com/teeingoffpodcast and on iTunes.
Twitter: @harnesspreps