Benet meets Simeon’s challenge
Many will consider it an upset.
For those who know Benet’s boys basketball team — especially those in the Redwings’ locker room — it’s simply become expectation.
In front of a sold-out crowd of 8,184 fans at the University of Illinois-Chicago Pavilion, Benet claimed a 58-54 victory over Simeon in the finale of Saturday’s 16th annual City-Suburban Showdown.
While it doesn’t erase the sting of last season’s double-overtime loss to the Wolverines (23-2) in the Class 4A Hinsdale Central supersectional, Benet’s stunning win over a team that entered the week ranked third in the nation by USA Today definitely had a March feel to it.
“We’ve been looking forward to this game since our schedule came out,” said Benet guard Dave Sobolewski. “But at the same time we knew we needed to take care of business day in and day out, game by game. And we’ve done that. This game finally got here, we had a good week of practice, and it was everything we hoped that it would be.”
Six lead changes and four ties in the middle quarters led to a 7-1 spurt that put the Redwings (26-0) ahead to stay at 46-40 early in the fourth quarter. Seven-footer Frank Kaminsky, who had 19 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks, hit a 3-pointer and added another basket during the run.
Standout Simeon sophomore Jabari Parker kept the Wolverines close as Benet’s Pat Boyle made him work for each of his game-high 21 points. A wicked dunk by Parker cut Benet’s lead to 48-46 with 5:29 left in the game.
Four more times the Wolverines pulled within 2 points, but Benet closed strong from the line. Sobolewski, who had 15 points and 5 assists, Boyle and Matt Parisi knocked down six straight free throws in the final minute.
“We’ve been practicing free throws all week,” said Kaminsky, who also made a pair of fourth-quarter free throws. “Last year we struggled with free throws a little bit down the stretch in some games. But we’ve been practicing free throws and everyone just stepped up and hit them.”
Benet stormed to a 12-2 lead and matched that margin later in the first quarter when Sobolewski nailed a 3-pointer. A 12-3 Simeon run, capped by a steal and dunk by Rashawn McElrath, put the Wolverines ahead 24-22. They took a 28-24 lead to the half.
The teams entered the game ranked first and second in The Associated Press Class 4A poll, and Benet surely will become the state’s new No. 1. The Redwings also likely will rise from their national ranking of 23rd by USA Today.
As both teams prepare for the playoffs, though, the postseason now becomes the focus. If they survive rugged roads as top sectional seeds, they’d meet again in the state semifinals in Peoria.
“We’ll worry about that if we’re fortunate enough to get downstate,” said Benet coach Gene Heidkamp. “We have so many good teams in our sectional right now, the last thing on my mind is worrying about Simeon.”