Healthy Angel Has New Trier Off and Running To Start Season

Austin Angel is one of those players whose game-to-game contributions aren’t always defined by the points column in the post-game box score. Although capable of putting up 20-plus points on any given night, Angel doesn’t have to on a nightly basis as features a number of capable scorers.

“He just does so many things for us on the court, so many things well,” New Trier coach Scott Fricke said. “He’s one of the guys who is hard to take off the floor.”

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Angel came to New Trier in time for the 2010-2011 season after transferring from Rockford Boylan. But the 6-foot-4 senior guard missed almost two months because of a ruptured appendix suffered in early December. Angel returned for the stretch run, but had to re-integrate himself into the offense and never fully got back into game shape.

This year has been different.

With a full offseason to train and already knowing every one of the returning varsity players from last season, Angel has been a big part of New Trier’s 5-0 start. He’s even been joined by his brother, Aaron, who has seen some playing time at center as a 6-foot-8 junior center.

“It’s the first time we’ve been on the same organized basketball team,” Austin said. “It’s very cool.”

Against Deerfield on Tuesday night, Angel only scored seven points, but pulled in his fair share of rebounds and was part of a stifling Trevian defense, forcing a number of Warrior turnovers as New Trier pulled away in the second half for a 46-31 win.

With New Trier playing a smaller lineup this season – often going with three players under 6 feet tall – Angel has to help center Connor Boehm with rebounding inside and sometimes will be defending opposing power forwards in the post.

The Trevians look to be the early favorite in the Central Suburban League and with a deep, experienced roster, New Trier could make some noise in the postseason.

“This year we hit practice hard, we came together as a team and we’re hitting it full force right now,” Angel said. 

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