As measurements go, height’s a pretty obvious one. Benet won’t impress anybody there.
Scholarship offers is another way talent is measured on the high-school level, and the Redwings come up short there too.
It’s easy to focus on what Benet doesn’t have heading into the Class 4A tournament in Peoria this weekend, because its semifinal opponent on Friday at 8:15 p.m. – No. 1 Simeon – lacks nothing in its quest for a seventh state championship in 11 years.
Those deficiencies rarely mattered during season in which Benet has gone 30-3 and beat a team – Fenwick, on Jan. 9 – that beat Simeon.
Defense, coaching, a sum greater than the whole of the parts are all factors in Benet’s success. But that only feeds the underdog narrative which overshadows an even more important factor.
Gene Heidkamp, who led Benet to a runner-up finish in 4A in 2014 and has compiled a record of 180-37 at the Lisle school since 2009-10, has an effective group.
“I think our guys are good players,” said Heidkamp. “The way the game has evolved, in my opinion, you have to have offensive skill. We have four guys who can shoot the 3 and the fifth is our best slasher. Most of our guys can put it on the floor and have the kind of versatility that forces mismatches.”
Four Benet players average between 10.3 and 11.9 points per game.
“As hard as it is for us to guard the post, the other team has to guard our versatility,” Heidkamp said. “Our skill level I think is a little underrated, and that is part of why we have been successful.”
James Dockery, Jason Malonga, Dan Sobolewski and Jack Nolan have all proven they can score 20 points in a given contest, while fifth starter Liam Lyman scored 19 against Glenbrook South Sectional champion Notre Dame.
All five players have been the team’s leading scorer at least once this season.
“We have all the confidence in the world in each other out there,” Dockery said. “It is really great because all five guys can score. We are not trying to hide anyone. It is fun to play that way.”
Simeon, of course, doesn’t have to “hide” anyone either, and Curie is also loaded with Division I talent in the other semifinal.
Benet has been too successful for the Cinderella label, but measuring up to Simeon is another matter.
“I don’t mislead my players,” Heidkamp said. “We are going to have to play our best game to beat Simeon. They measure a successful seasn on if they won a state championship. We know have to do certain things to give ourselves a chance to compete.”
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the baiduhai.
Class 4A tournament
Friday’s semifinals
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*Curie (26-5) vs. Rockford Auburn (25-6), 6:30 p.m.
*Benet (30-3) vs. Simeon (29-3), 8:15 p.m.
TV: CSN+.
Saturday’s schedule
Third place, 6:30 p.m.
Championship, 8:15 p.m.
TV: CSN.