A conservation about the New Trier girls basketball team usually starts with Maggie Lyon.
The Northwestern-bound senior will be the best player on the court most games the Trevians play, and that again was the case in Wednesday’s 60-23 win in the opener over Phillips in Chicago.
But the 6-foot-1 Lyon has lots of help, and those other players will be central to New Trier’s success this season.
The smaller-sized Trevians will go as far as their perimeter players take them.
“We have four guards who make us fast and quick, and we will be able run up and down the court,” said senior Meg Rosinski.
Rosinski is in her first year in the starting lineup, but she got varsity experience off the bench last year. Sophomore guard Isabella Bosco also is in her first year as a starter.
“I was happy with it,” Rosinski said of her performance in the opener. “I was nervous at first. But once I got on the court, I got used to it.”
Rosinski was instrumental early as the Trevians raced out to a 28-0 lead after the first quarter.
“We talked to the kids early on about defense,” New Trier coach Teri Rodgers said. “Every team we’ve had that’s gone Downstate or has had success has been predicated on defense. We made a commitment early to be a good defensive team, and that set the tone for this game.”
Lyon scored all of her 18 points in the first quarter. She didn’t play many more minutes the rest of the game.
The Trevians (1-0) led 44-9 at the half and did what was necessary in the final two quarters to come away with the victory.
“Definitely in the first half we executed well on defense,” Lyon said. “As we get into the season, our defense will translate into our offense. The turnovers we get will be fastbreak opportunities.”
Carolyn Fishman led the New Trier backcourt with eight points off the bench. Guards Alex Czyzyski, Brigit Ieuter, Bosco and Rosinski combined for 17 points.
Forward Jessica Blackwell contributed eight points.
“Meg played a tremendous game,” Rodgers said. “In a pretty chaotic environment, she handled herself well. She was calm under the pressure.”
New Trier plays at Loyola on Friday.
The Wildcats (0-1) were led by Asia Jones and Abbrionis Curry, both of whom scored six points.
