Trevians, Giants think pink in special matchup

New Trier and Highland Park girls basketball teams elevated their games on Tuesday to play for more than just on-court glory.

They played for Kay.

For the first time, the Trevians hosted an event for Play4Kay, an initiative in honor of legendary women’s basketball coach Kay Yow in which basketball programs — from high school to college — raise funds to fight cancers that affect women.

New Trier’s version raised more than $3,300 for the cause through day-of donations, bake sales and T-shirt sales, said Trevs coach Stephanie Kuzmanic

Play4Kay means a lot to the first-year New Trier coach, who participated in Play4Kay events while a coach under Kristen Gillespie at Illinois State University. Gillespie played for coach Yow at North Carolina State.

“We told the girls ahead of time about coach Yow and what she stood for as a coach. It’s bigger than basketball,” Kuzmanic said. “We’re happy to utilize the platform to raise awareness for a good cause. It’s more than just wearing pink jerseys and decorating the gym; it’s an important way to raise awareness.”

In a decorated gymnasium, the Trevians and Giants sported pink uniforms — the hosts in white with pink numbers and trim, and the visitors in pink with white numbers and trim.

The day’s inspiration bled into New Trier’s play, as the Trevians dominated the Central Suburban League crossover affair, winning 57-27 on Feb. 3 in Winnetka.

Junior Emerson Buck led the hosts with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals, while senior Avery Schecter added 10 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds. Vic Wainscott chipped in 5 points and 8 rebounds.

Highland Park’s Reese Crosby had a team-high 10 points.

The win was the Trevians’ fourth in six games as they moved to 12-16 on the season.

“We feel really good. We’ve shown a lot of improvement,” Kuzmanic said. “We knew the schedule would be very tough, but we’re playing better basketball now than at the beginning of the season.

“We knew there would be a learning curve with a new coaching staff and not a lot of returners, but we have a great group of kids, who are coachable and who want to be here. We’re playing our best basketball now.”

Buck has been a reliable multi-category leader for the Trevians this season and is often supported by fellow junior Wainscott. Kuzmanic pointed out the recent play of Schecter, a senior captain who pivoted to a point guard role a season ago.

“The coaching staff is really proud of her and how much she has improved,” coach said.

Highland Park moved to 13-10 on the season, while holding a 6-3 record in the Central Suburban North, good enough for second place behind league-unbeaten Vernon Hills (9-0).

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.