Kaminsky keys Benet's comeback triumph
A tough game became pretty simple for Benet's boys basketball team.
Get the ball to Frank.
Six-foot-10 Redwings junior Frank Kaminsky scored a career-high 39 points as Benet rallied for an 80-70 victory over Glenbard North in Tuesday's Class 4A Geneva regional semifinals.
Third-seeded Benet (23-3) advances to Friday's regional final to play tonight's winner between Downers Grove South and Geneva.
The Redwings trailed by 9 points late in the third quarter when they roared back to seize command. Kaminsky scored 16 of his points in the fourth quarter during a devastating burst that created a double-digit deficit for the Panthers (12-14).
Benet outscored Glenbard North 32-19 in the final period, but the real damage started late in the third quarter when the Redwings tallied the final 6 points.
The run eventually became 24-3. Kaminsky scored 12 of the Redwings' first 18 points of the fourth quarter as they extended the lead to 66-54 midway through.
Kaminsky made 16 of 18 shots from the field, including a 3-pointer, and 6 of 8 free throws. He also had 11 rebounds and 3 blocked shots while completely dominating the post.
"It's a lot of fun to play like that," he said. "I knew I had the height advantage if I just played hard. If I catch the ball and be strong, I could score every time."
Kaminsky's effort helped save Benet from a terrible scare for three quarters. Glenbard North, the Neuqua Valley sectional's 14th seed, played well for two-plus quarters and led from midway through the first quarter until a minute into the fourth.
The Panthers shot 60 percent from the field in the first three quarters, scoring at will on a stingy defense that averages only 42 points allowed a game.
Bryan Kraus came off the bench to score 11 of his 13 points in the second quarter. Glenbard North twice held an 11-point lead before taking a 35-26 advantage to the half.
When Brandon Clark scored with two minutes, four seconds left in the third quarter, Glenbard North held a 51-42 lead. That's when Benet and Kaminsky took over, holding the Panthers scoreless for the next 3:57.
Glenbard North made only 6 of 18 shots from the field in the fourth quarter.
"Offensively, we had some opportunities there when it was going back and forth, but we couldn't hit anything there for a stretch," said Panthers coach Joe Larson. "You've got to hand it to Benet. They really came out and showed that they're a championship team."
Lost in Kaminsky's effort was Benet guard Dave Sobolewski's 22 points and 5 assists.
Glenbard North senior guard James Fleming capped a stellar three-year varsity career with 22 points. Fellow senior Mike Carev scored 19 points.
"They're a really tough team to play against," said Benet coach Gene Heidkamp. "We knew if we didn't play well, we were going to get beat. That's a good team."