Scouting the Class 4A NIU supersectional
By Kevin Schmit
kschmit@dailyherald.com
Benet (29-3) vs. Joliet West (21-9) Class 4A Northern Illinois University supersectional
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Convocation Center in DeKalb.
Benet's road to the supersectional: Top-seeded Benet beat No. 17 Willowbrook 56-46 and No. 9 Naperville Central 41-37 to win the Benet regional title. The Redwings beat No. 4 Hinsdale South 60-43 and No. 6 York 61-55 to win the East Aurora sectional title.
Joliet West's road to the supersectional: No. 3 Joliet West beat No. 14 Neuqua Valley 50-48 and No. 6 Plainfield North 64-59 to win the Neuqua Valley regional title. The Tigers beat No. 7 Joliet Central 47-44 and No. 4 Oswego 48-41 to win the Lockport sectional title.
Playoff history: Benet claimed its third sectional championship since 2010 and its eighth overall by winning the title at East Aurora. The Redwings are vying for their second state semifinal appearance in three years after finishing second in the state in 2014. Benet is 4-3 in supersectional games, including a third-place state finish in 1979. Joliet West won its third sectional title, its first since 1990. The Tigers lost both previous supersectional games.
Outlook: This is a rematch from December's Pontiac holiday tournament to determine who's headed to the state semifinals. Joliet West won the first game 59-53, and two stats stood out in Benet coach Gene Heidkamp's mind: the Redwings' 4-of-22 3-point shooting and their 15 turnovers. Perhaps the biggest concern for Benet is the Tigers' 1-3-1 pressure and trapping defense. Benet needs to do a better job against it, which was key in holding on against York in the sectional final. Another concern is Joliet West's balance, athleticism and length at every spot. Matchup problems exist for Benet, but it's nothing the Redwings haven't dealt with before. Dan Sobolewski can handle whatever's thrown at him in the post, while James Dockery is long and quick enough to handle a perimeter threat. Six-foot-five Trevian Bell leads the Tigers with about 15 points and 8 boards a game, but it's depth that makes them dangerous. And after struggling through stretches of the regular season, Joliet West has recovered. Benet's 3-point shooting blossomed against York. Jack Nolan, Dockery, Liam Lyman and Justin Enochs all hit key 3s. The Redwings still won without a point from Sobolewski, who battled foul trouble along with Nolan. Considering Joliet West's up-tempo style, the Redwings - who typically go about eight deep - can't afford similar foul issues.
Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner of Tuesday's Illinois State University supersectional between Simeon and United Twp. in the IHSA state semifinals at 8:15 p.m. Friday at Peoria's Carver Arena.
- Kevin Schmit