Benet reaches championship game
Neither Benet coach Peter Paul nor junior guard Christen Prasse know the last time Benet won its annual holiday tournament, co-hosted with Naperville North. But they’ll have the chance to knock off their co-host and provide an easier memory for future Benet teams.
Sidney Prasse scored 18 points while sister Christen had 12 points of her own in Benet’s 54-38 victory over DeKalb Thursday evening in Lisle. The game was tight, but a 20-8 Benet third quarter clinched its chance in the tournament championship game.
“It’s been a while since we won that tournament,” Paul said. “It’s an opportunity to win, and prove that this bracket was a little bit tougher.”
Benet opened the game with a quick 5-0 lead on two Sidney Prasse buckets, the first a layup and the next behind the arc. DeKalb’s Taylor White answered with a 3 of her own, only to have Benet’s Sidney Prasse drain another 3-point shot, giving Benet an 8-3 lead.
DeKalb pulled within 2 when junior Rachel Torres stole a pass and drove down the court for a layup, making it 12-10. Christen Prasse sunk 1 of 2 free throws to give Benet a 13-10 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter was a more physical affair. The Barbs finally caught the Redwings on a hook shot from senior Emily Bemis, tying the contest at 15.
It was the Prasse sisters again to Benet’s rescue, first Christen with a pair of free throws, and then Sidney burying the final 3 Benet baskets in the half, adding to her 12 for the half. Turnovers cost DeKalb several chances to keep pace with the Redwings.
“We competed, but we also had 16 turnovers at halftime,” said DeKalb coach Ben Bates. “You can’t do that against a team like Benet.”
DeKalb pulled within 3 twice in the early stages of the second half, but Benet used a 14-1 run to put the game out of reach. The Redwings were powered by baskets from Taylor Valentine, and a rejuvenated Christen Prasse, who shook her first-half shooting woes and scored 7 of her 9 third-quarter points during the stretch.
“Christy got it going in the second half,” Paul said. “In general we are that type of team where if something doesn’t work, then maybe something else will.”
“I would have let it get to me last year,” Prasse said. “But I wouldn’t let that happen, and I kept shooting and driving, and then it came to me.”
The focus turns to Naperville North and the opportunity to best its co-host as tournament champion.
“We’re both the hosts of the tournament, and we obviously both want to win it,” Prasse said. “We have a lot of momentum going into it, and it’ll definitely be a scrappy game. But winning would put the cherry on top.”