Prasse, Benet on the money
When Christen Prasse plays like this, all is well with Benet.
Prasse scored a season-high 27 points, and the No. 14 Redwings snapped out of a three-game losing streak with a 52-35 win over Providence on Friday at the Naperville North/Benet Holiday Tournament.
“That’s the best she’s played this year,” Benet coach Peter Paul said. “She took the ball to the hoop, was looking for her shot, could hit the 3-point shot. That’s Chrissie. We’re getting there.”
Prasse’s had a bit of a turbulent start to the season.
She is playing with pretty much an entirely new and young supporting cast, missed the first four games with an ankle injury and is easing back to 100 percent. She’s moved off the point guard, even playing a little post. Prasse even seemed a bit passive at times on Thursday in a 41-39 loss to Wheaton Warrenville South.
On Friday, though, she more resembled the aggressive, confident offensive force of last year. Playing more point, Prasse hit Providence with an array of slashing drives to the basket, then knocked down three 3-pointers in the second half. A pair of tough Prasse drives-and-scores got the Redwings out to an early 13-3 lead, and they never looked back.
This tournament seems to suit Prasse. A year ago against Geneva she scored a personal-high 30.
“Tonight’s game was much more the type of game we like to play — get out, run, attack the basket 1-on-1,” Prasse said. “I was hurt at the beginning of the season, but I think I’m starting to get back into my groove, being confident. I think it showed tonight.”
Benet’s defense, a cause for concern early on this season, appears to be tightening up.
The Redwings held Providence without a basket for a six-minute stretch in the first half and allowed just 10 points in the first half.
“These last couple games, our defense is the best it’s been all year,” Prasse said.
Emily Eshoo added 13 points and 9 rebounds and Kathleen Doyle 6 points for Benet, which also enjoyed a dramatic turnaround at the free-throw line. A night after going 1 of 8 in a 2-point loss, Benet made all 14 of its attempts.
In Friday’s first game, No. 4 Wheaton Warrenville South (9-2) rolled to its eight straight win, 57-29 over Glenbard West. With a Notre Dame assistant coach in attendance, Tigers junior Meghan Waldron had 23 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 4 steals. The short-handed Tigers are now making do minus Maggie Dansdill and Kelly Langlas because of knee injuries, and Melinda Franke got the starting nod and had 7 points and 12 rebounds.
“That’s what we do,” WW South coach Rob Kroehnke said. “For years when people are called upon they step up and get it done. We just gotta keep working and got to keep trying things that will work.”
“Obviously one person can’t fill Maggie’s position or Kelly’s position,” Franke said. “But if we all work together we can fill the void. I’m just going to keep on working as hard as I can.”
Glenbard West (3-8) was within 18-12 midway through the second quarter, but from there turned it over on 10 of its next 11 possessions and went into the break down 30-14. Caitlin Soane had 14 points and 8 rebounds and sophomore Claire Graham, just back from injury, hit three 3s for 9 points for the Hilltoppers.