Benet gets the jump on Viator in decisive victory
Getting the early lead has not been that easy for the Benet's girls basketball team, most recently ranked No. 12 in the Daily Herald's Top 20, this season.
"Jumping out on top has been a challenge," said Redwings coach Peter Paul. "We're usually playing catch-up."
However, that was hardly the case on Thursday night in Arlington Heights.
The team from Lisle raced ahead 14-0 and never looked back in a 67-41 East Suburban Catholic Conference triumph over St. Viator at the Cahill Gymnasium.
"It was definitely our best start of the season," said senior super sub Madeline Eilers. "We lost our first conference game (to Marist) so it was so important for us to come out strong right away and get this game."
Eilers sure played her part in the fast start.
The Redwings' first player off the bench hit 2 of her 5 3-pointers in the first quarter when Benet pulled ahead 21-6.
Eilers (15 points) shared game-high scoring honors with her teammate Christen Prasse, a 5-foot-10 junior guard who also had 4 steals and 3 rebounds while tying her season high for points.
"Christen is only a junior and she leads us," said Benet coach Peter Paul. "She's also a top rebounder for us.
"Madeline is the exact opposite. She is a phenomenal shooter. She has great range and we feel real confident when she sets her feet, that she will make the shot."
Eilers was 5-of-6 from 3-point range on Thursday.
But her 5 3-pointers didn't even put a dent into her performance Tuesday.
That's when she was 11-of-16 from beyond the arc for a career-high 33 points in an 84-52 win over Plainfield North.
"We have plays set up for 3-pointers for anyone," Eilers said. "It doesn't matter who is in the game."
Christen Prasse, senior Sidney Prasse and sophomore Eden Olson (7 points) also had 3-pointers for Benet, giving the Redwings 8 for the game.
Sidney Prasse (8 points, 4 steals) and Christen Prasse connected on back-to-back 3s in less than 30 seconds to give Benet a 9-0 lead with 5:32 left in the first quarter.
"That (8 3-pointers) is too many to give up," said Lions coach Paul Bjerkness. "We had a bad start. But we worked so hard to get back in the game. I thought we were in good shape at half. We got back to within 8 points (early in the third quarter) but then we went cold."
A 3-point play by Katie Gavin (7 points) got the Lions to within 35-27 with 6:53 left in the third quarter but Eilers hit her fifth 3-pointer to trigger an 18-2 run by Benet (6-4, 1-1).
"We are starting to play better as a team," Eilers added. "We are setting better picks, and trusting each other. We were a little off to start the season but now things are clicking."
Senior Taylor Valentine (7 points) led the Redwings on the boards with 5 rebounds while senior Shannon Martin and Olson pulled down 4.
"Benet is awfully good," said Bjerkness. "They are quick, aggressive, physical and can shoot. They are good real good."
Sophomore guard Erin Fabbri led the Lions (4-4, 0-1) with 11 points while Gavin chipped in 7. Lauren Rooney was 4-for-4 from the foul line and led the Lions on the boards.
"I thought Lauren had a real nice game," Bjerkness added. "Erin battled through with some foul trouble early. Mary Cleary (4 points) came in and did some nice things."
Jacobs 52, Wheeling 46: Seniors Dee Hanna (14 points), Leah Malsom (9) and Kellie Kuzmanic (7) led Wheeling in the nonconference game in Algonquin.
The Wildcats (1-9, 0-1) host Prospect (7-3, 1-0) in Mid-Suburban League action today at 7:30 p.m.
Christian Liberty 45, Mooseheart 22: Jess Moriarty (11 points), Shelbi Hernandez (10), Vivian Barclay (9) and Megan Sullivan (7) led the host Chargers (5-2).