Three-ball lifts New Trier past Fenwick

By Patrick McGavin
YourSeason.com

David Bragiel was almost embarrassed by the question. I dont normally shoot like this, the New Trier senior guard said. It is pretty hard to improve on perfection.Bragiel hit four three-pointers and made all five of his shots in scoring 18 points and distributing a team-leading seven assists to lead the No. 13 Trevians over Fenwick 62-47 in a first-round Proviso West Holiday tournament matchup Tuesday in Hillside.New Trier advances to play Homewood-Flossmoor in Wednesdays quarterfinals.Bragiels initial two three-pointers helped New Trier (10-1) climb out of an early 5-0 deficit after Fenwick forward Luke Lattner opened the game with a jumper in the lane and a three-pointer from the left baseline. Following his lead, New Triers 6-7 star forward Connor Boehm took control. Boehm scored New Triers next eight points on an impressive variety of inside moves as New Trier led 14-7 after the first period. The outside-in tandem proved difficult for Fenwick (3-6) to match up against. Thats how its been the whole year, he said, because teams focus two or three guys to try and stop Connor and it leaves a lot of space for myself and the other shooters.The good thing is we have three or four guys that can make the shots.Boehm finished with 17 points and seven rebounds.New Trier (8 of 19 on three-pointers) outscored the Friars 24-9 from distance. Austin Angel (nine points) and Bragiel hit consecutive three-pointers as the Trevians seized a 30-21 lead at the break.The game turned late in the third quarter. Behind Samuel Ainsworth (12 points) and sophomore Scott Lindsey (10 points), the Friars mounted a 9-1 run to pull within 39-34. Bragiel broke a trap and found Angel unattended on the right baseline. Angel buried the three-pointers and followed that moments later with a three-point play.New Trier coach Scott Fricke thought his team was sluggish after a nearly two-week lay off. You have to give Fenwick a lot of credit, he said. They are long and active and forced a lot of turnovers in the first half. He also acknowledged the teams perimeter skills transcends the occasional lapse or mistake. We have a multitude of shooters, he said.New Trier also unveiled another dangerous weapon in 6-5 junior forward Steven Cook. He scored six of his 16 points in the second quarter. He also added a game-high 10 rebounds. Cook struggled with his shot early but became increasingly comfortable as the game wore on. This was my time really playing in the tournament and I think I was a little nervous because I wanted to do well, he said. As the game wore I got more comfortable.