DePaul Prep's road dominance shines as they crush New Trier in a sectional semi-final showdown - a performance that left many observers stunned. In a tight space, the intensity was palpable, with fans packed tightly around the upper level, creating an electric atmosphere. As the DePaul Prep players stepped onto the court, they were met with a chorus of boos, but Rashaun Porter, a senior forward, embraced the challenge. He exclaimed, 'There's something special about away games. The crowd's energy is electric when they're against us, and we feed off that underdog energy.'
And feed off it they did. Porter and his teammates delivered a stellar performance, securing a 56-38 victory. Porter, a 6-7 Toledo recruit, led the way with 16 points and six rebounds, showcasing his dominance. Rykan Woo also contributed 16 points, and senior guard Zion Lee added 11 points and six rebounds from the bench, demonstrating the team's depth and unselfish play.
New Trier's coach, Scott Fricke, acknowledged the talent, saying, 'They are a talented team. Our plan was solid, but once the game started, their ability to make plays was overwhelming.' Despite a strong start, New Trier struggled to keep up, with DePaul Prep's experience and teamwork proving decisive.
The Rams' defense was stellar, with AJ Chambers, the senior point guard, setting the tone with his perimeter defense. He had a running steal for an easy layup and later ripped the ball from a New Trier guard's hands, showcasing his tenacious play. Tom Kleinschmidt, the DePaul Prep coach, praised his team's focus and patience, emphasizing their ability to value the ball and control turnovers.
The final score of 56-38 might have been a near-blowout, but it was a performance that left a lasting impression. Porter believes there's room for improvement, stating, 'We have some areas to enhance, and this game was probably a 6 or 7 out of 10 for us. I love this team; we play unselfishly, and no one is focused on individual scoring.'
New Trier's Matthew Logue led with 12 points and six rebounds, and Chris Kirkpatrick scored 11 points. As DePaul Prep moves forward, they'll face the winner of the Loyola-Evanston semifinal, scheduled for Wednesday at Loyola. Will they maintain their road dominance? The basketball world awaits with bated breath.
