New Trier's Bragiel Sinks Game-Winner Against Niles West

David Bragiel might not be the ultimate six-week replacement for injured Austin Angel, but on Tuesday night the junior guard was a major player.

Niles West had rallied from a six-point deficit in the final minute and tied the game when Ramsan Younatham sank two free throws with 16.2 seconds left.

New Trier Coach Scott Fricke didn't call timeout, and Bragiel took an outlet pass at half-court. He drove down the lane, spun left and flipped up a layup to give New Trier a two-point lead.

Niles West's Tony Pierce put up a three-point attempt from the right wing but missed, and the Trevians defeated Niles West on the road 62-60.

"We decided not to call a timeout because I thought we might be able to get something easy off their pressure and that's what happened" Fricke said. "We were just fortunate that three didn't go in at the buzzer."

New Trier's energy was good from the start. The Trevians got out in transition, and Boehm converted three layups inside, giving New Trier a quick 12-2 lead in the first quarter.

But Niles West battled back, as they often have during their winning streak. The Wolves' pressure defense forced turnovers, and Niles West's shots started to fall from outside. Pierce led the Wolves with 9 points in the first half, and Niles West cut the deficit to five at halftime.

Following his 25-point game against Niles North, senior guard Younatham was held scoreless in the first half. His shot wasn't falling from beyond the arc, and New Trier's guards kept him out of the lane.

In the third quarter, Younatham exploded for 15 points, nailing three three-pointers and helping turn Niles West's five-point halftime deficit into a four-point fourth quarter lead.

"We all knew they were a quick team and we couldn't fall asleep on them because they can score points in a hurry," New Trier guard David Bragiel said.

During Niles West's run, New Trier got away from Boehm inside, and only started to get the ball into the post near the end of the third quarter.

That trend continued late in the game. All of New Trier's 19 points in the fourth quarter came in the paint as Boehm went to work against the smaller Niles West post players.

"We wanted to take advantage of our size difference and we were able to do that in the fourth quarter," Fricke said.

New Trier's Connor Boehm dominated the second half, scoring 22 of his 33 points—all in the paint–and leading the Trevians to their first victory since Austin Angel ruptured his appendix.

"He's a great player and he's going to get some, we knew that," Niles West Coach Bob Williams said. "To get them that easily under pressure, we didn't expect that."

Younatham finished with 20 points for the Wolves and Pierce chipped in 15 points. Matt Diceasare had 10 points for New Trier.

The Wolves travel to Maine South on Friday while New Trier will visit Glenbrook South.

"I was very pleased with our young team that after giving up the lead, our guys persevered and go the ball where we wanted to get it in the fourth quarter," Fricke said. "This team later in the year, up six points with a minute to go, will do much better than they did right now."