Scouting Benet Redwings

Posted November 19, 2009 10:00 pm

By Josh Welge

Benet Redwings

Coach Peter Paul.

Last year 19-12, 7-3, third in the East Suburban Catholic Conference; lost to Bolingbrook 48-30 in Class 4A Waubonsie Valley sectional semifinal.

Top players Nikki Bell, sr., F; Ashley Veselik, jr., F; Danielle Canulli, jr., G; Gintare Sankauskaite, so., C; Mary Kate Veselik, sr., G; Katie Hammerle, sr., C; Sidney Prasse, so., G; Nicky Valentine, so., G.

Scouting report Paul, entering his 25th season as Redwings coach, didn't get to 500-plus wins by forgetting where his bread is buttered. "We're going to go as far as Nikki takes us," Paul said. That would be four-year starter Bell, who averaged 13 points per game last season and recently signed with Division II Eckerd College. Sankauskaite, a 5-foot-10 post with a year of varsity experience, will rotate with 5-11 Hammerle, who moved in from Florida this year. Canulli is a streaky shooter. Katie Ernsting is expected to assume ballhandling duties, with sophomores Valentine and Prasse likely to see playing time. The rotation is still a work in progress, but talent isn't in short supply. "In all honesty we have more skilled people than we have had in the past," Paul said, "but can we play defense? We're going to score more."

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