Girls Basketball: Maine South turns tables on New Trier

Michelle Maher and Maine South didn’t want a repeat of what happened in early December.

The No. 8-ranked Hawks wasted no time asserting themselves Friday in their 63-43 win over No. 20 New Trier, earning payback for their lone loss of the season.

Maher scored the game’s first five points, and Maine South went up 10-0 in the first two minutes. The Hawks (20-1 overall, 5-1 CSL South) led by as many as 15 in the first quarter, and the Trevians (13-5, 2-4) could never catch up. 

“When we played at their place, we were not aggressive enough,” said Maher of the team’s 55-44 loss to the Trevians on Dec. 2. “We came out aggressive (Friday), and we won the game in the first quarter.”

Maher got no argument from New Trier coach Teri Rodgers. 

“It was a big hole, and it gave them confidence,” she said. “It was hard to fight our way back.”

Maher, who will play at Western Illinois next season, scored eight of her team-high 15 points in the first quarter. Jacqui Grant contributed 14 points, including three layups in a row midway through the fourth to put the result to rest. 

Nina Duric added 11 points, and Mackenzie Duffy also scored in double figures with 10 points. 

“That’s always an important thing for us,” Maher said of the balanced offense. “Everyone is capable of scoring on this team, and we are proud of that.”

Northwestern-bound Maggie Lyon led all scorers with 16. But the Trevians struggled to string points together. They only scored consecutive baskets three times through three quarters. 

After Maher’s basket to start the second half, New Trier never got closer than 13 in the final two quarters. 

“I felt like we didn’t shoot with confidence, and our shots were rushed,” Rodgers said. “That’s a tribute to their defense.”

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