By Bobby Narang
Benet Academy High School and Naperville North collided for an early-season battle of two of the top girls basketball teams in the DuPage County area.
Each team will compete for the Class 4A State championship in Normal, and both have the talent, depth, and experience to land the coveted trophy.
December 20, Benet was host to the Huskies in a highly-anticipated match-up of two teams with a combined one loss. On a court with numerous college-level players, Benet sophomore guard Emilia Sularski managed to steal the spotlight.
In just her second career start, Sularski scored a personal-best 24 points to lead the Benet to a 71-61 triumph over the Huskies. The Redwings (11-1) knocked Naperville North, 12-1, from the unbeaten ranks by burying 11 three-pointers, with Sularski making five of her six three-pointers in the first half.
“I was always wide open, so I’m like Okay’ if they’re giving that to me, I might as well shoot it,” Sularski said. “Maybe they didn’t (know my name). It might be the first time they saw me play because I hadn’t been starting.
“I just felt good. I felt confident and once I started making my stuff, I don’t get in my head too much and started playing well.”
Sularski was named a starter because the Redwings were missing five players due to COVID-19. She made the most of her extra minutes, by hitting three threes in the first quarter. Benet head coach Joe Kilbride praised Sularski for her big game.
“Emilia was on fire in the first half,” Kilbride said. “Her and her sister were both out at the beginning of the season because they had injuries, then it took them a little while to get back in shape….They both play hard and are really skilled. (Emilia) played really well also against Kenwood. It was a great game. We knew it was going to be a good test because we were short-handed.”
With a big crowd in attendance along with high energy from two talented teams, Sularski earned the praise of both teams with her six-of-10 shooting display from beyond the arc. She scored 19 of her 24 points in the first half. Benet junior standout guard Lenee Beaumont scored 23 points.
“(Emilia) is a very good shooter,” Beaumont said. “She also had a great game against Kenwood, when we really needed her. Each game she’s getting more confident and contributing more.”
Two days earlier, Naperville North earned a big victory over Marist in spite of a bad game from star guard Kenzie Hare. The Bartlett transfer tallied 21 points in the loss to Benet, noting that the Huskies have to play better defense if they want a shot at the big prize at the end of the season.
“I think it was a good game, and they’re a good team but we didn’t come to play,” Hare said. “When you don’t have a good start against a good team, it’s hard to climb back. (Emilia) had a great game. Our defense has to be tighter.”
Naperville North senior forward Sarah Crossett is having a big season. She made three three-pointers to finish with 17 points. Layla Henderson scored 14 points.
“The outcome wasn’t what we wanted, but it was a learning experience for us,” Crossett said. “It was a test for us today, but it can’t happen again when it gets late in the season and in the playoffs.”
Beaumont said the electric atmosphere was a good way to get an early-season test for both teams, especially after a shortened season last year.
“It was super exciting and it was a game we all were looking for since the start of the season, just because we’re rivals,” Beaumont said. “(Kenzie) is amazing and an all-around player and it’s always fun to go against those type of girls.”