The tough schedule was created with the postseason in mind, but if it comes with a loss of confidence, it could be counterproductive.
Trinity’s girls basketball team will find out if that is the case in the next few weeks.
In its penultimate game of the regular season, the Blazers could not handle Marian Catholic’s defensive pressure in a 72-41 loss Feb. 12.
Trinity beat Marian Catholic, the 2013 Class 4A champion, 46-42 on Dec. 29 and recovered from Thursday’s loss to defeat Crete-Monee 45-39 on Saturday.
The Blazers will enter postseason play with a 23-4 record and will look to get their swagger back in the Class 4A Lyons Regional this week.
They are seeded second to defending Class 4A champion Young in the Young Sectional.
“Marian Catholic played really well, and they’re one of the best teams in the state,” Trinity coach Ed Stritzel said. “We might have bitten off more than we wanted with our schedule. I wanted to play a tough schedule, and we’re a young team. I’m interested to see how we learn from this loss in the playoffs. We have a talented team, but this will be a learning lesson for us.
“We did not handle the pressure well at all. That’s what’s disappointing. We handled their pressure very well a month ago. It was disappointing from a coaching perspective. Turnover after turnover. As the game progressed, the kids lost confidence on every possession.”
Trinity will play a local team in the regional final if it can avoid a major upset in its first game. Lyons, the seventh seed, will take on 10th-seeded Fenwick in the other regional semifinal.
Lyons (19-7) has enjoyed a fine season, winning its first nine games and going on to capture the West Suburban Silver title.
The Lions also entered the postseason on a bit of a down note, dropping a 56-41 decision to Proviso East in the West Suburban Conference championship game.
Fenwick (13-16) has played a tough schedule and will not be an easy out for Lyons.
