South Elgin's Sanchez to play at Benedictine

South Elgin point guard Alex Sanchez had several opportunities to play basketball at the next level, but a late invitation to visit Division III Benedictine University in Lisle swayed him.

The 2008-09 Daily Herald All-Area selection committed to coach Keith Bunkenberg's Eagles in mid April.

"I had a lot of schools at the time I was looking at," Sanchez said, "but I got an invitation and checked Benedictine out at the last minute. I liked the campus and the setting. I just got that feeling I could see myself there.

"I played in some open gyms, and the players accepted me right away. And I liked the coaches. They were funny."

A three-year varsity starter, Sanchez led South Elgin to its first winning basketball season by averaging 9.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game to go with 44 steals.

Sanchez credited Storm coach Chaz Taft for his help in garnering college interest in a 5-foot-7 guard.

"Coach Taft would call coaches and ask them to come take a look at me," he said. "I would walk into some gyms, and all they could see was a short kid. It was hard, but you have to make the best of what you have.

"Ever since I was little I knew I wanted to be able to go to the next level and play in college. It didn't hit me until I actually picked a college that, 'Wow, I'm actually going to go play next year.' It's awesome."

Sanchez, an 18-year-old resident of Elgin, plans to study international business at Benedictine.