Saying farewell to another prep basketball season
Let’s put a bow on the prep basketball season.
It ended on a high note with Montini’s girls team and Benet’s boys team winning state titles. The girls teams from Fremd and St. Edward earned state trophies.
A few final thoughts …
Tipping the cap
Benet’s boys basketball program boasts a rich history, dating back to the Bill Geist-coached teams of the 1970s and ’80s. Back in the day, Alumni Gym at the Lisle school was electric during a 102-game home winning streak.
The only thing missing was a state championship, which the Redwings finally claimed last weekend with a 55-54 victory over Warren in the Class 4A final.
After three second-place finishes since 2014 and a third-place trophy in 1979, it’s difficult to quantify what put this season’s team over the top. The Redwings fielded more talented teams in the past and enjoyed easier playoff paths, so it’s not that.
What’s remained consistent is the high level of competition faced by Gene Heidkamp’s teams during his 17 years at the helm.
This regular season Benet played 1A champion Chicago Hope Academy, 3A semifinalist St. Patrick, 4A semifinalists Evanston and Rich Twp. and twice played 3A champion DePaul College Prep.
And that’s just counting the teams in Champaign. Benet also played Simeon, Bolingbrook, St. Laurence, Marist and other teams that won conference or regional titles.
Bottom line is you need to play the best to be the best.
Time’s running out
We’re one year closer to the IHSA’s implementation of a 35-second shot clock in boys and girls basketball for the 2026-27 season.
It’ll put an end to stall ball, like a couple weeks ago when Eastland’s boys team held the ball for about seven minutes at the start of their sectional final against Pecatonica, the top-ranked team in Class 1A. Eastland went on to finish second in the state.
The shot clock gradually worked its way into the IHSA season at holiday tournaments and shootouts, so everyone should be ready when the time comes.
But be careful what you wish for with this pesky timer.
Benet didn’t win the state title because of its 55 points in the title game. It was the 54 allowed to Warren, which this season scored at least 60 points 29 times.
Defense still wins championships. So get ready for a bunch of really bad shots to beat the clock against really good defenses.
Classified
The IHSA this week announced new classification guidelines designed to curb the dominance of non-boundaried schools — like the parade of football champions in November.
Basically, the IHSA is tweaking the time frames to enact its enrollment multiplier and success factor formula. Had the guidelines been in effect in the fall, each of the private school football champions from Class 1A to 4A — Althoff Catholic, Chicago Christian, Montini and DePaul College Prep — would have been bumped up to higher classes.
Of course, you still can’t multiple Loyola’s football powerhouse beyond Class 8A. Just like you can’t bump Benet boys basketball higher than 4A.
Time will tell if the changes work, but it’s interesting to see the IHSA take action to tighten the system.