The New Trier Boys Basketball season came to an end last Friday as they fell to Evanston in the sectional finals, 69-57.

   The game was played at Maine East’s arena, where just two days before New Trier rallied back from a 22 point deficit to beat Niles North.

The environment at the game was everything one could expect from a big game between two arch rivals, with every seat filled.

    Evanston jumped out to an early lead, securing a thirteen point advantage by halftime. The game looked out of reach as Evanston didn’t miss from behind the three point line in the first half.

However, in the second half New Trier showed flashes of the team that cut a seemingly insurmountable lead in the sectional semi finals.

     The defensive guard play of Brian Conaghan and Andrew Kirkpatrick caused chaos while Ciaran Brayboy (a team high 16 points) was unstoppable in the paint. Twice in the fourth quarter New Trier closed the gap to just 5 points.

      Evanston’s ball handlers made free throws down the stretch (9 for 13 fourth quarter free throws) never allowing New Trier to take the lead.

    Their young backcourt of juniors Lance Jones (17 points) and Jaheim Holden (16 points), and freshman Blake Peters (a game high 19 points) were able to score when the team needed the most down the final stretch, combing for 52 of Evanston’s 69 points.

     Evanston went on to beat Lake Zurich handily to advance to the state competition, winning 78-56, and continued their hot shooting from behind the arc.

     On the other side of the bracket, Whitney Young shocked Simeon, the favorites to take home the state title. Simeon, the number four ranked team in the country according to MaxPreps, had not lost an in-state game all year, with their only three losses coming at the hands of teams ranked number one in their respective state. Whitney Young shocked the powerhouse with an overtime win, setting up a final four matchup against Evanston.

     Evanston saw their season end to Whitney Young, losing 62-56. Evanston would win their third place game against Larkin by a 12 point Margin.

     With their win over Evanston, Whitney Young advanced to play Belleville West in the championship. Belleville West won in dramatic fashion, 60-56, to take home the IHSA State trophy, ending the 2017-2018 season.