Sanchez In the Middle of GBN's Hot Start

What a difference a year makes. This time last year, Glenbrook North’s basketball team was 0-6. Now the Spartans are 5-1.

A key reason for the turnaround is Gracie Sanchez. The senior center transferred to North after two and a half years at in River Forest, where she played on varsity since her freshman year. For the Spartans she is scoring 14.7 points per game while grabbing rebounds, blocking shots and drawing the attention of opposing defenses away from her teammates.

Sanchez has always lived in Northbrook, but instead of attending , she enrolled in the all girls Catholic school. Trinity plays in the competitive Girls Catholic Athletic Conference, a step up from the Central Suburban League North, and has won nine consecutive regional titles. That’s a far cry from Glenbrook North, whose girls’ basketball team hasn’t won a regional since 1993.

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Despite the contrasting basketball programs, Sanchez had an easy answer as to what the biggest difference is between the two schools.

“Definitely boys,” she said with a laugh.

Sanchez’s older brother graduated from GBN and her younger brother, who is now in eighth grade, plans to attend the school as well. She finally made the decision to transfer to North due to the time it took to get to Trinity. The school is a 30-40 minute drive away from Northbrook, and that’s if you avoid rush hour traffic.

Spartans coach Renee Brosnan has always wanted to get Sanchez on board and finally got her wish when she transferred in the middle of her junior year, though she couldn’t play on the team until this season.

“We were just really excited that we got her for her senior season and look at the difference that she has made,” Brosnan said. “We’ve been what 0-5, 1-5 the last two or three years. With her we’re the opposite.”

From a basketball standpoint, the transition has been an easy one. Sanchez has fit right in with the squad and has adjusted to her role as the focus of the team’s offense. She was a starter at Trinity, but said the team was more balanced.

“It was everyone contributing and here it’s like they come to me so it’s a different role, but it’s a good role,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez’s presence in the paint has opened things up for her teammates, especially senior guard Rachel Blitt. Blitt is scoring 11.5 points per game, providing a strong second option for the team after she had to carry the offense last year.

The two have quickly developed chemistry on the court, connecting on a strong inside-outside game early in the season.

“I love the fact that I can throw the ball and she’ll go get it,” Blitt said. “It’s really nice having a good post presence this year and I think it’s really helping us spread the court more.”

Sanchez’s 8 points against Waukegan on Tuesday in the Spartans’ home opener was not her best offensive showing, but demonstrated what else she brings to the team. Sanchez pulled down a team-high 9 rebounds and opened things up on the outside for Blitt and junior Rachel Dress.

The Bulldogs made a third quarter run to cut GBN’s lead to 11 and Waukegan was suffocating Sanchez inside. With more room to shoot Blitt (16 points) and Dress (18) started knocking down outside shots. The duo combined for five three pointers in the third to put the game away, resulting in a 72-45 victory.

“Her presence on the floor is unbelievable,” Brosnan said of Sanchez. “It’s her court awareness, her ability to score, her ability to rebound. She blocks shots. I mean, she does everything.”

Next year Sanchez will bring her well-rounded skill set to Grand Valley State, a Division II school in Michigan. The 5-10 center has been playing basketball since first grade and always wanted to be able to play in college. She first realized the dream could become a reality when playing the AAU circuit in front of college coaches on a regular basis.

Sanchez plans to major in psychology and fell in love with the school as soon as she stepped on the campus.

“They had everything I want,” Sanchez said. “They have women coaches, they have a football team, have a campus field. Just perfect.”

Until then, however Sanchez will continue to anchor the Spartans’ turnaround season.