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New Trier boys basketball third in Class 4A

With a 53-34 victory over Downers Grove North on March 10 in Champaign, New Trier's boys basketball team placed third in Class 4A.

It was the Trevians' fifth top-four finish in boys basketball, its first since 2002, and its first third-place trophy since 1921.

New Trier (33-5) lost 64-49 initially to eventual 4A runner-up Benet Academy in the semifinals Friday at the State Farm Center, just a few hours before the Trevians faced Downers Grove North in the third-place game.

Moline won its first state championship in its seventh trip downstate, beating Benet 59-42.

Surpassing the program wins record of 30 established just last season, New Trier made 14 of 25 first-half field goal attempts to post a commanding 38-15 lead over Downers North at halftime.

Ian Brown made three 3-point baskets in the first 16 minutes against the Trojans, and Colby Smith sank 2 more.

Downers North, making its first state final appearance, also set a program record with 32 victories. Shooting less than 30% and compiling 15 turnovers to 7 for New Trier did in the Trojans.

New Trier's Cornell-bound senior Jake Fiegen, a Class 4A Second Team all-state pick by The Associated Press, led the Trevians with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Smith followed with 14 points and Brown finished with 9.

All-Central Suburban League South junior Logan Feller scored 4 points with 6 assists and 5 steals.

It was the 315th win for Trevians coach Scott Fricke in his 15-year career, all with New Trier.

On 10-of-15 shooting from the floor, Fiegen scored a game-high 26 points in the semifinal against Benet (35-2).

Though New Trier made nearly 49% of its field goal attempts, it was not enough to offset the Redwings' eight 3-pointers and four double-figure scorers, led by Niko Abusaro and Brayden Fagbemi with 18 points apiece.

Benet led New Trier 18-16 after one quarter, but a 17-7 second-quarter margin gave the Redwings a 35-23 halftime lead and all the separation they needed for their 19th straight victory.

It snapped New Trier's own 13-game winning streak.

Fiegen also was a second-team honoree on the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Class 4A All-State Team, joining Glenbrook North guard Josh Fridman.

Glenbrook North's Ryan Cohen, an AP honorable-mention selection, was a third-team IBCA pick as was Loyola's Miles Boland. Loyola's Alex Engro made the Coaches' special-mention team.

New Trier's Tyler Van Gorp wins a jump ball over Downers Grove North's George Wolkow during the opening tip of the Class 4A state third place game on Friday, March 10, 2023 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Scott Anderson/sanderson@shawmedia.com
Downers Grove North's James Ordway looks to get around New Trier's Simon Roszak in the Class 4A state third place game on Friday, March 10, 2023 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Scott Anderson/sanderson@shawmedia.com
New Trier's Logan Feller shoots a jump shot over Downers Grove North's Max Haack in the Class 4A state third place game on Friday, March 10, 2023 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Scott Anderson/sanderson@shawmedia.com
New Trier's Quinn Finerty passes the ball over the head of Downers Grove North's Alex Miller in the Class 4A state third place game on Friday, March 10, 2023 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Scott Anderson/sanderson@shawmedia.com
New Trier's Evan Kanellos sprints in front of Downers Grove North's Owen Thulin in the Class 4A state third place game on Friday, March 10, 2023 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Scott Anderson/sanderson@shawmedia.com
New Trier's Logan Feller shoots a jump shot over Downers Grove North's Jack Stanton in the Class 4A state third place game on Friday, March 10, 2023 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Scott Anderson/sanderson@shawmedia.com
New Trier's Jun Yoshitani lunges in the lane to score over Downers Grove North's Max Haack in the Class 4A state third place game on Friday, March 10, 2023 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Scott Anderson/sanderson@shawmedia.com
New Trier's boys basketball head coach Scott Fricke manages his team against Downers Grove North in the Class 4A state third place game on Friday, March 10, 2023 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Scott Anderson/sanderson@shawmedia.com
Downers Grove North's Max Haack looks to pass the ball in front of New Trier's Colby Smith in the Class 4A state third place game on Friday, March 10, 2023 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Scott Anderson/sanderson@shawmedia.com
Downers Grove North's Owen Thulin dribbles past New Trier's Logan Feller in the Class 4A state third place game on Friday, March 10, 2023 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Scott Anderson/sanderson@shawmedia.com
Downers Grove North's George Wolkow looses control of the ball as it goes out of bounce while New Trier's Ian Brown defends in the Class 4A state third place game on Friday, March 10, 2023 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Scott Anderson/sanderson@shawmedia.com
Downers Grove North's Ethan Thulin looks to shoot over New Trier's Evan Kanellos and Tyler Van Gorp in the Class 4A state third place game on Friday, March 10, 2023 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Scott Anderson/sanderson@shawmedia.com
New Trier's Evan Kanellos handles the ball against Benet Academy Friday March 10, 2023 during the 4A IHSA Boys Basketball semifinals. Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com
New Trier's Jake Fiegen takes a pass down low against Benet Academy's Sam Driscoll Friday March 10, 2023 during the 4A IHSA Boys Basketball semifinals. Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com
New Trier's Jake Fiegen handles the ball against Benet Academy's Sam Driscoll Friday March 10, 2023 during the 4A IHSA Boys Basketball semifinals. Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com
Benet Academy's Andy Nash looks to pass while being guarded by New Trier's Evan Kanellos and Logan Feller Friday March 10, 2023 during the 4A IHSA Boys Basketball semifinals. Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com
Benet Academy's Niko Abusara pulls down an offensive rebound against New Trier Friday March 10, 2023 during the 4A IHSA Boys Basketball semifinals. Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com
New Trier's Logan Feller puts up a three pointer against Benet Academy Friday March 10, 2023 during the 4A IHSA Boys Basketball semifinals. Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com
New Trier's Jake Fiegen works below the basket against Benet Academy Friday March 10, 2023 during the 4A IHSA Boys Basketball semifinals. Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com
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