Heading into the holiday tourney zone
The holiday season seems to start earlier every year.
Benet's boys basketball team, which on Wednesday began play at the Plainfield North Round Robin Shootout, knows the feeling all too well.
The Redwings (7-0) kicked off the holiday tournament season by taking their unbeaten record against the tournament's host school. The five-team round-robin event wraps up on Saturday, just as other holiday tournaments get ready to roll.
With junior guard Dave Sobolewski leading the way, Benet hopes to claim the tournament title after going 1-3 last year when it lost two games by a total of 5 points and a third game at the buzzer.
"It's a very strong tournament," said Redwings coach Gene Heidkamp, who pointed to Joliet as a key opponent. "They've really built it up well. We know we have to play well to have a chance to win it."
Here's a quick look at the holiday tournament landscape for DuPage County teams.
Elgin Holiday Tournament: For all the big-picture goals looming toward the end of this season, one immediate goal sits right in front of Glenbard East.
The Rams would love to face Neuqua Valley in the Elgin tournament. If it happens, it'd be in the title game. And as top-four seeds on opposite sides of the bracket, it's a definite possibility.
"Our guys are smart enough to know Neuqua's the top team in the area," said Rams coach Scott Miller. "For us to be where we want to be, we have to go through them."
Neuqua Valley (6-0), which won last year's Elgin title behind returning starters Kareem Amedu, Rahjan Muhammad and St. Louis-bound Dwayne Evans, beat Glenbard East in last season's quarterfinals. The Rams (6-1) bring back starters Lee Skinner, Zach Miller, Jack Merrithey and Jon Hill in their drive toward the title.
Arranging a rematch won't be easy. Unbeaten Fremd sits in Neuqua Valley's side of the bracket. Fellow top-four seed Rockford Auburn resides in Glenbard East's half.
Willowbrook, making its first appearance, and Wheaton North also head to Elgin.
Jack Tosh Holiday Classic: How deep is this 36th edition at York? Past champions Conant and St. Ignatius aren't even seeded in the top eight.
Three unbeatens - Maine South, Lyons Twp. and Brother Rice - represent the top seeds while powerful Riverside-Brookfield, after suffering its lone loss to Lyons, is No. 4. Wheaton Warrenville South (5-2), which is starting to hit its stride, opens with the Bulldogs the day after Christmas.
"It's as deep as it's ever been," said WW South coach Mike Healy. "We always know we're going to see a real good team in the first round."
The host Dukes (5-3) are seeded fifth while Downers Grove South (5-3) is sixth. St. Francis and Glenbard South are also bound for York.
Glenbard West Holiday Classic: Area teams fill six of the eight slots at Glenbard West, but one school literally stands above the rest. Unbeaten tournament newcomer Wheaton Academy (8-0) and 6-foot-9 William & Mary-bound Tim Rusthoven enter this weekend's action as the heavy favorite. The Warriors open against rival Timothy Christian on Saturday.
Addison Trail and Northside Prep also await in the White Pool. The Green Pool, which is more wide open, features Glenbard West, Fenton and West Chicago. Nazareth, however, is favored to emerge from the group and advance into Wednesday's title game.
Matt Laurich Memorial Classic: Naperville North (6-1) and first-year coach Jeff Powers enter as the favorite to win Waubonsie Valley's 26th annual tournament.
The Huskies' first challenge is to finish first in the Gold Division ahead of Al Raby, Kankakee and Marmion. With experience from 6-foot-10 Austin Peay-bound Matt Hasse, 6-6 Joe McNicholas, James O'Shaughnessy and others, it's no wonder Naperville North has enjoyed a strong start to the season.
"Our kids are playing hard and they're learning their roles," Powers said. "If we play up to our potential, we should be a favorite."
Glenbard North and electric James Fleming will vie for first in the Green Division, although Plainfield Central, Aurora Central and the host Warriors also highlight a balanced group.
Wheeling Hardwood Classic: Defending champion Naperville Central (6-2) enters the tournament with a similar record as last season, but there's one huge difference. Drew Crawford, who led the Redhawks to last year's title, is now playing at Northwestern.
Naperville Central opens with Carmel and might face a stiff second-round test against Prospect. Lake Park, which plays its first game against Notre Dame, is the other area team competing at Wheeling.
"The good news is that we're 6-2 and still haven't played our best basketball yet," said Redhawks coach Pete Kramer. "I think that's encouraging for us."
Rounding up: The Lemont Christmas Classic features Lisle, Downers North and Hinsdale South. Hinsdale Central heads to the prestigious Proviso West Tournament, where the Red Devils face a wicked first-round game against Whitney Young. Montini travels to Effingham to play in the Bulldog Hoops Classic at St. Anthony. Immaculate Conception heads to Luther North.