Benet rally catches Fenwick by surprise

Benet's boys basketball team rallied from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to upset Fenwick 44-41 Saturday in Oak Park.

The Friars (13-2) entered the week as the fourth-ranked team in the Associated Press Class 3A state poll.

"On paper that's probably the best team we've played so far," said Redwings coach Gene Heidkamp. "To beat them at their place is a nice win for us."

Benet (12-2) led 15-11 at halftime but the Friars (13-2) answered with a 17-point third quarter. They extended a 28-23 lead after three quarters to double digits early in the fourth before the Redwings answered with a 14-0 run.

Jack Nolan scored 12 of his game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter. James Dockery added 10 points for Benet, which returns to East Suburban Catholic Conference play Thursday at home against Notre Dame.

"It didn't look good for us, but we played well in the fourth quarter," Heidkamp said. "We really stepped up, especially on defense after the third quarter."

St. Viator 48, Hinsdale Central 45:

A St. Viator student picked the right day to show up in a Penguin costume to cheer on the Lions.

On a snowy, blustery Saturday afternoon, the host Lions outlasted Hinsdale Central 48-45 in a nonconference boys basketball game at Cahill Gymnasium.

Senior forward Danny Walsh picked the right day to put on one of his better performances. He seemed to be at the right place at the right time all afternoon.

"I guess you would call it the luck of the Irish," Walsh said.

Walsh led the Lions with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals.

Walsh and Jake Stepuszek helped get the Lions off to a fast start, something that was missing in Tuesday's loss to Bartlett.

Walsh scored 8 points and had a pair of 3s in the first quarter. Stepuszek scored two baskets for 5 points in helping the Lions break out to a 17-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

"St. Viator came out ready to play," said Hinsdale Central coach Nick Latorre. "Their fast start made a big difference in the game. We had to use a lot of energy to come back at them."

Walsh made big plays in each quarter. His 3 steals in the second quarter prevented the Red Devils (8-7) from getting any closer than 22-20 with 1:12 left in the period.

Matt Trimberger, who normally starts, came off the bench and hit a big 3. That was followed by Andrew Soukup's basket at the buzzer for a 27-20 lead.

Walsh hit a basket with 3:49 left in the third quarter to help the Lions sustain a 31-27 lead.

During the fourth quarter, Hinsdale Central forged a 43-40 with 4:40 left in the game on baskets by Brad Huth (3) and Peter Blust.

Walsh finished a 3-point play to tie the game at 43 with 4:03 remaining before Tom Majerus' free throw gave St. Viator (10-3) the lead for good with 3:28 left.

With St. Viator leading 46-45, Walsh was fouled. He hit the first of a two-shot foul, then secured the rebound on the missed second shot. Walsh tossed the ball to Kevin Murphy, who made a free throw with :07 left.

A 3-point attempt to tie the game by Huth fell short.

Trevor Hamilton came off the bench to score all of his team-high 13 points in the first half for Hinsdale Central.

"It was good to win a close game like this," said Walsh. "When we fell behind 43-40 we didn't panic. We knew what we had to do. As a team we learned after the loss to Bartlett that we cannot come out flat to start a game. We played good defense from the start."

"Walsh and Jake are our leaders," said Lions coach Quin Hayes. "They played great defense and it became contagious to the other players. A lot of players contributed to this win."

- Greg Swiderski

Girls basketball

Downers Grove North 55, Marian Catholic 44:

At the Chicagoland Invitational Showcase, the Trojans got 21 points from senior Jaida Green and 14 from Lauren Porcelli.

Benet 47, Heritage Christian (Ind.) 40:

Kathleen Doyle scored 19 points for the Redwings at the Chicagoland Invitational Showcase at Fremd.

Glenbard West 51, Hinsdale Central 39:

The Hilltoppers defeated the Red Devils for the second time this season in West Suburban Silver play behind Ellen Daniels' 19 points. Grey Hayes added 12 points.

Lake Park 60, Naperville Central 49:

In DuPage Valley Conference play, Jen Warfield hit five 3-pointers and finished with 24 points for the Lancers. Hannah Swarm led the Redhawks with 16 points.

Downers Grove South 65, Willowbrook 63:

In West Suburban Gold play, Holly Lueken led the Mustangs with 14 points. Alyssa Spada scored 17 points and Josie Zabran 16 for the Warriors.