Shootout matchup looks familiar
It's a year later, but many of the players are the same.
Now Benet and Waubonsie Valley meet once again on a big stage.
The third-ranked Redwings, who beat the No. 2 Warriors in last year's sectional semifinal, hook up at 5:30 p.m. Monday as part of the 22nd annual McDonald's Shootout at Willowbrook High School.
Action tips off tonight, and continues Saturday and Monday in Villa Park. Seven DuPage County teams will be featured at the three-day event.
Waubonsie coach Kim Connell, taking her team to the shootout for the first time, admitted the rematch does add a wrinkle to an already marquee game.
"It would be unrealistic to think that none of the starters wouldn't be thinking about that sectional game," Connell said. "But it's still just another game, against good competition. We consider it an honor to be invited and playing Monday night."
Waubonsie (14-1) returns four of its five starters from a team beaten by Benet 56-52 last year, including seniors Becky Williford, Tami Morice, Erica Jordan and Rachael Ross. Likewise, most of Benet's key players are the same, including guards Sidney and Christen Prasse and forward Nicole Valentine. The red-hot Redwings (13-4) have won nine straight, and their ability to score is an intriguing contrast to Waubonsie's physical, defensive-minded style.
"We're delighted to be there," Benet coach Peter Paul said. "The rematch does add a little bit to it. Waubonsie has an opportunity to set the record straight."
Benet-Waubonsie precedes the shootout's final game, a matchup of defending Class 4A champion Bolingbrook and UConn recruit Morgan Tuck versus Niles West and Notre Dame-bound Jewell Loyd.
Before Benet-Waubonsie, No. 6 Montini (18-4) hooks with Whitney Young, the top-ranked team in the latest 4A statewide poll. The Dolphins (14-0), led by their outstanding guard trio of Virginia Tech recruit Alexis Lloyd, Kentucky-bound Janee Thompson and junior Linnae Harper, are ranked 17th nationally in the latest ESPN Powerade Fab 50. It's a tough chore for Montini and its freshmen- and sophomore-heavy guards group.
"(Young) is awesome they've been putting a hurting on a lot of people," said Montini coach Jason Nichols, whose team has drawn Bolingbrook the last two years at the shootout. "It's a great opportunity for our kids to compete against the best."
Host Willowbrook, which comes off a huge win last weekend against Proviso East, tips off the shootout at 6 p.m. Friday against St. Ignatius.
On Saturday morning Wheaton North (9-9) returns to the shootout for the third straight year after splitting two games the last two seasons, meeting up with Morgan Park (12-6) and Toledo recruit Kendyl Nunn. After that game No. 8 Wheaton Warrenville South (15-2), which last played at the shootout when Keilani Moeaki starred for the Tigers, meets up with New Trier (13-4). It could be one of the shootout's best matchups, with WW South's Meghan Waldron and Kasey Gassensmith going against 6-foot-1 Northwestern recruit Maggie Lyon.
"It's an opportunity for us to make a little bit of a statement," Tigers coach Rob Kroehnke said. "Lyon can do everything, but they have other kids who can hurt you. A very physical group."
Saturday's seven games are capped off by a 7 p.m. matchup between No. 7 Neuqua Valley (15-1), making its first shootout appearance since 2006, and Fenwick (12-4), led by Yale-bound Meredith Boardman. Both teams like to play fast, both will substitute liberally with deep benches and both feature young, talented guards.
"It should be an interesting contest," said Neuqua coach Mike Williams, whose team plays Waubonsie, Fenwick and Bartlett over a daunting seven-day stretch. "Fenwick always plays with a chip on their shoulder, and regardless of record they're going to play hard. It's a challenge."