Dollard's play sets Benet apart from Peoria Manual

PONTIAC - Charlie Dollard had exceptional timing for the Benet boys basketball team Thursday evening in first-night action of the Pontiac Holiday Tournament.

The senior guard had back-to-back slashing drives while getting fouled for all 5 of his points against state power Peoria Manual.

But the second score, a three-point play, gave the Redwings their first double-digit lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Benet dominated play in the final quarter, claiming a 57-44 victory over the Rams.

The Redwings (12-1) will meet fourth-seeded Bloomington, which dispatched Warren, in the third quarterfinal on Friday afternoon.

"We took what they gave us," Dollard said of his two drives that gave Benet a 49-38 lead. "We let the game come to us. They were pressing us."

Dollard more than took advantage of the Redwings' ability to solve the press as Benet captured its sixth consecutive win in the process.

The two Benet main guns, post Colin Crothers and power forward Kendrick Tchoua, collaborated with great effect on the low block.

Capitalizing on second-chance opportunities and excellent interior passing, Crothers' game-high 19 points were ably complemented by Tchoua adding 18 more.

"We had a size advantage," Benet coach Gene Heidkamp said. "Offensive rebounding is a big part of our team because we don't score many points off our defense."

Crothers and Tchoua scored all but 3 of the Redwings' 28 first-half points as Benet had a 6-point lead at the break.

On separate occasions in the second quarter, Tchoua had power moves on the inside for consecutive low-post buckets.

"They were getting a lot more rebounds than us," Manual starting center Josh Ivory said. "Our intensity wasn't as high as theirs."

But Manual still hung tough until the beginning of the fourth quarter.

The Redwings' spread was narrowed to 4 after Manual (5-4) limited Benet to 9 third-quarter points.

But Benet showcased more weapons as Will Engels, the only returning starter other than Crothers, had 5 of his 7 points on consecutive field goals to begin the quarter.

"I just let the game come to me," Engels said. "How many points I score, I don't care as long as we get the win."

The opening fourth-quarter possession boded well for Benet when Tchoua slashed his way for a score.

Engels' putback on the Redwings' ensuing possession was part of an 18-7 run that allowed Heidkamp to empty the bench in the closing moments.

Rolando Brown paced Manual with 13 points.