Lisle Benet Academy wins Class 4A title over Palatine-Fremd

NORMAL, Ill. (AP) - According to her coach, Benet Academy's Kathleen Doyle can score zero points and still dominate a basketball game.

She scored considerably more than zero on Saturday - 18 points to be exact - while leading Benet Academy to its first state championship, defeating Palatine Fremd 61-39.

"Everything runs through Kathleen," said coach Joe Kilbride. "She's a unique player in that the entire offense and defense goes through her or is run by her. Her stat line can show a zero, and she still wins games for us. She dominates all facets of the game."

Doyle's aggressive play sparked a 9-0 run late that sealed the victory, including one sequence where she took the inbounds pass and dribbled casually the entire court to lay the ball in through three defenders.

"We struggled at that point," said Palatine coach Dave Yates. "During that stretch in the fourth quarter (the 9-0 run), we played some good defense, but let's face it. You can't get 10 stops in a row."

Doyle wasn't alone in leading Benet Academy (34-3). Emily Schramek scored 15 points and Katie Jaseckas added 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Redwings.

"This entire team is incredibly resilient," Benet coach Kilbride said. "Everyone did their part tonight. I told them at half time, you're tied (21-21) for the state championship. Let's see if you have what it takes to go out there and take it. They had it."

Doyle was thrilled with the win, but gave much of the credit to her teammates. "We've all worked so hard all year. We are as close as family, and we love each other. Everyone played such a great game for us."

Haley Gorecki scored 20 points to lead Palatine (29-5). Bryana Hopkins added 10 points.

"To beat a team like Benet, you have to score a lot more than 39 points," Yates said. "Still, I'm extremely proud of these kids."

Benet Academy beat Homewood-Flossmoor 77-71 in Friday's semifinals, while Palatine defeated Winnetka New Trier 57-28 to advance to the championship game.