By Bobby Narang
Benet Academy High School is on track for another memorable run in the Class 4A girls basketball playoffs.
Led by senior center Morgan Demos and junior point guard Lenee Beaumont, the Redwings have won four straight games after an impressive 56-30 victory over Waukesha West at the recent 32nd Annual Coach Derril Kipp Hoopsfest.
The Redwings (17-2) demolished the highly- ranked Wisconsin school thanks to a big effort from Beaumont, who scored 16 points and added four rebounds, four assists, and three steals in three quarters of play.
Waukesha West head coach Mark Busalacchi said watching Beaumont spin was a special treat, especially because he played with her father, Mike, at Carroll College.
Busalacchi joked that Lenee’s father, Mike, was “not as good as her” on the basketball court.
“She’s got it all, super smooth and big, and has the full game and can score at all levels,” he said. “She’s as good as a player we’ve seen this year. I played college with her father, so I kind of knew who she was coming in. I’ve known her father for 30 years. It was cool. I didn’t know. I just saw the name, and sure enough Mike lives here.
“I saw him at an alumni game probably seven or eight years ago, the last time we saw each other. She’s a special player.”
Beaumont, one of the top uncommitted juniors in the Midwest, said she plans to announce her college decision after the season.
Some of the top juniors from the Chicago area, including Libertyville’s Emily Fisher (Maryland), Carmel’s Jordan Wood (Michigan State) and Hersey’s Katy Eidle (Michigan) already have declared their college intentions.
Numerous coaches were in attendance to watch Beaumont, including DePaul, Maryland, Michigan State, Northwestern, Boston College, Purdue, and Creighton, among others.
“It’s great to have this opportunity and is awesome because I used to be the freshman coming to these games and seeing all the seniors have their coaches come,” Beaumont said. “Seeing that I’m slowly coming to that role, and having that opportunity as well is just awesome.”
The six-foot Beaumont, who has roughly 35 college offers, said she’s slowly starting to narrow down her schools.
“I have nothing set (commitment), but probably before like this Summer’s AAU season,” she said. “I don’t feel that much pressure. The schools I’m very serious about, I’m talking to, and pretty confident where I am with them.”