CHAMPAIGN — Two years ago, Blake Fagbemi made the trip to the State Farm Center and sat in the student section for the Class 4A state championship game.
Fagbemi’s older brother Brayden was a starting guard for Benet, which lost to Moline in that game.
“I was watching Brayden play, and it was exciting,” Blake Fagbemi said. “We were right behind the bench. I took the time to learn from him. I love watching Brayden play.”
Blake Fagbemi has learned well. Now the senior guard and his teammates, an entirely different group, have a chance to accomplish what his brother didn’t.
Blake Fagbemi, a Truman State commit, was all-everything in his return to the State Farm Center on Friday, recording 10 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and four steals as the Redwings beat Evanston 56-47 in the 4A state semifinals.
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Senior forward Daniel Pauliukonis had 11 points and seven rebounds for Benet (32-5), which will play Warren (27-10) in the state championship game at 8 p.m. Saturday. Junior guard Jayden Wright added 10 points but got into foul trouble and played just 17 minutes.
Senior guard Theo Rocca scored 13 points for Evanston (30-6).
Benet led for most of the game, but the Wildkits closed the gap to 22-20 in the third quarter. That’s when Blake Fagbemi did some of his best work, hitting a jump shot and then converting a tip-in for a 26-20 lead.
“There aren’t many 5-foot-10 guards who could make that play,” Benet coach Gene Heidkamp said. “He’s capable of that. He’s also capable of making his teammates better.
“He’s a pretty dynamic guard. He did a really good job.”
Blake Fagbemi has to watch his brother Brayden, a Central Arkansas sophomore guard, from afar these days, but his basketball career has its roots at their home in Naperville.
“It started in the driveway,” Blake Fagbemi said. “It got competitive. We made each other better.”
Brayden Fagbemi usually prevailed, though.
“It was pretty tough,” Blake Fagbemi said. “Some fights would happen a little bit, but that’s a part of growing. Once in a while, I would get the better of him.
“He taught me how to play against a quick defender and how to guard against a quick ball handler.”
Brayden Fagbemi also had advice about playing on the big stage.
“He told me to play my game and block out the noise,” Blake Fagbemi said. “We’re at the State Farm Center, but at the end of the day, it’s just basketball.”
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The Redwings will make their fourth appearance in a state final. They also lost in 2014 and 2016. Blake Fagbemi and his teammates hope to break through this time.
“We have a team in which we all have trust in each other,” Wright said. “We built a chemistry, and any one of us can hurt anyone at any time.”
Blake Fagbemi hurt Evanston, although he had an ice bag on his shoulder after a late-game collision. He said it should be fine for the state final.
The Redwings will need him.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter.