Previewing the Class 4A semifinals: Benet vs. Simeon

By Kevin Schmit

kschmit@dailyherald.com

Class 4A semifinals

Benet (30-3) vs. Simeon (29-3)

When: 8:15 p.m. Friday at Peoria's Carver Arena.

Road to the semifinals: Benet beat Willowbrook and Naperville Central to win the Benet regional title, then beat Hinsdale South and York to win the East Aurora sectional. The Redwings downed Joliet West in the Northern Illinois University supersectional to advance to the semifinals. Simeon beat Thornton Fractional South and Brother Rice to win the Thornton Fractional North regional title, then beat Marian Catholic and Thornton to win the Bloom Twp. sectional championship. The Wolverines beat United Twp. in the Illinois State University supersectional to advance to the semifinals.

Playoff history: Benet is making its third trip to the state semifinals. The Redwings finished third in Class AA in 1979 and were state runners-up in Class 4A in 2014. Simeon is in the semifinals for the ninth time. The Wolverines have won seven state titles and finished second in 2008. These teams met in an epic 2010 supersectional game when Simeon beat Benet 58-50 in double overtime.

Probable starters

Benet Simeon

Name Ht. Yr. PPG. Pos. Name Ht. Yr. PPG.

James Dockery 6-2 Sr. 11.9 G Zack Norvell 6-5 Sr.16.5

Jack Nolan 5-11 Jr. 10.3 G Evan Gilyard 5-10 Jr.13.5

Jason Malonga 6-4 Sr. 11.2 G Joshua Thomas 6-3 Sr.13.0

Dan Sobolewski 6-3 Sr. 10.8 F Ben Coupet 6-7 Sr. 5.3

Liam Lyman 6-4 Jr. 6.3 F James Gordon 6-5 Sr. 4.8

Outlook: Benet matched a program record with 30 wins against a pretty tough schedule, but few outside the program expect the Redwings to win this game. Not with more than half Simeon's roster likely bound for Division I programs. Norvell is headed to Gonzaga, and Gordon's committed to Toledo. Three players average 13 points or better, and the Wolverines outsize the Redwings nearly everywhere. The matchup disadvantages are particularly dangerous because Simeon boasts one of its most balanced lineups in recent memory. It's crucial for Benet to dictate the pace of the action, but that doesn't mean taking the air out of the ball on offense. The Redwings simply will be particular about their shot selection like they've been all season. Like Simeon, Benet's very balanced. Nolan and Lyman are the team's best pure 3-point threats, but Dockery, Sobolewski plus Justin Enochs off the bench are all capable of getting in a 3-point groove. Needless to say, Benet must shoot well from the perimeter or it could be a long night. Malonga, meanwhile, needs to remain strong and aggressive driving to the basket. The Redwings' attempt to dictate the pace comes on defense where they'll aim to make Simeon work for every point. While Dockery is Benet's main stopper on the perimeter, Sobolewski works the post. The key to Benet's success, though, has been team defense - especially when the matchups aren't favorable.

Intangibles: Benet is 7-2 in games decided by 5 points or fewer, so if this is close down the stretch it plays in the Redwings' favor. Not only because they'll have the confidence they can beat the powerful Wolverines, but also because they know how to close out games. Norvell, Coupet and Thomas were freshmen on the playoff roster when Simeon last played in Peoria in 2013. Sobolewski was a key bench player as a sophomore during Benet's 2014 run to the title game. Will that experience help ease the nerves? Just as Simeon grads Derrick Rose and Jabari Parker won't be wearing Wolverines uniforms, Frank Kaminsky, Dave Sobolewski and Sean O'Mara won't be playing for Benet. Without a superstar player for either side to lean on - although Norvell comes close - it'll be fascinating to see who steps up to send their team to the final. Simeon goes about nine deep while Benet only went six deep on Tuesday. The Redwings' starters are accustomed to shouldering the load, but they need to stay out of foul trouble.

Benet coach Gene Heidkamp: "I don't know if there was much expectation for this team. I don't know that anyone expected them to be 30-3. There's a lot of belief and a lot of moxie with these guys."

Simeon coach Robert Smith: "I'm sure everyone's going to pick us to win, but it's not as easy as they think. (Benet is) well-coached. They're very disciplined. Just playing them is a difficult task."

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner of Friday's first semifinal game between Curie (25-4) and Auburn (25-6) in the state title game at 8:15 p.m. Saturday. Friday's losers play in the third-place game at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

- Kevin Schmit