By Craig Lynch
The Benet Academy Redwings boys basketball team won its 20th game Friday evening, 45-43, over Notre Dame of Niles, the No. 1 ranked team in Class 3A in the four-class system. The Redwings knew their calling card would be defense.
“We have to play good defense,” said junior Sam Hennessy.
Hennessy, 6-2, guarded one of the Notre Dame’s best scorers, Anthony Sayles, and limited him to only 12 points. “We knew what kind of player he is and I had to guard him,” Hennessy said.
Junior Tyler Van Eekeren led Bennet in scoring with 16 points. “We don’t have a lot of Division I athletes, so we have to grind games out,” he said.
The Redwings won 20 games for the 11th straight year.
“We know we have to help each other out,” said Hennessy. “We can’t have players going for 20 one day and scoreless another.”
Van Eekeren is eager for State regional tournament play. “I don’t know who we’re playing but I know we (will be) host (to) the regional and I can’t wait.”
York is in the Hinsdale South Sectional with the host and Bogan from the Chicago Public League. Benet could be a top three seed.
The Redwings have played tough competition and moved to third place in the East Suburban Catholic Conference with St. Patrick, each 6-2. Notre Dame fell to 25-4 overall and 7-1 in the ESCC and in a first place tie with Marian Catholic.
Benet fell to talented La Lumiere (Ind.), 55-48 in Saturday’s non-conference game and dropped to 20-8 overall. The Redwings have three games remaining prior to regional tournament play the week of March 2.