Junior Kendal Schramek has a message for any and all future opponents that may stand in Benet’s way of a repeat Class 4A state title.
Kathleen Doyle may be the biggest name but she’s far than the only threat Benet possesses.
A career night from Schramek paced four players in double figures as Benet fought off a late charge from Neuqua Valley to earn a 71-60 victory Monday night in a Class 4A Benet Sectional Semifinal.
Schramek’s game-high 27 points for the Redwings were highlighted by five triples while senior Elise Stout (15), junior Katie Jaseckas (14) and the Nebraska-bound Doyle (11) chipped in mightily, as well.
“It just kind of proves that – not just me, but our whole team – we’re deep,” Schramek said. “Like if Kathleen isn’t on, we have other players that can step up. And I think that’s kind of frightening for other teams.”
With the Redwings struggling from the outside at the game’s outset, Jaseckas was able to get some work done inside early.
Her three points to open the second-quarter scoring gave the Redwings the lead for good while forcing a quick Neuqua Valley timeout.
“I’m always there for my three-point shooters and I’m down there and I’m trying to get the ball,” Jaseckas said. “It really helps with my teammates – like passing into me – and they need to keep taking their threes because they’re amazing at it.”
A second straight sectional title now just a victory away, Benet (28-3) faces either sixth-seeded Bolingbrook or second-seeded Oswego East on Thursday.
Up by as many as 15 points in the second half, the Redwings almost lost that opportunity thanks to a 21-8 run Neuqua Valley (21-9) ran off behind senior Myia Starks and sophomore Megan Callahan.
The Northern Illinois-bound Starks had seven of her team-high 22 points during the run – which got the Wildcats within two points at 54-52 – while Callahan came through with nine of her 13 points.
But senior Sami Valentine’s only points of the game – courtesy of a three-pointer from the left corner with 5:04 to play pushed the Redwings’ lead back to five.
“I and (the players) were all disappointed with the things we did that allowed them to get back into it and make that run,” said Benet coach Joe Kilbride, whose team has won 11 straight games. “But I was very pleased with the way they kept their composure and just played through it. They really didn’t get rattled.
“(Kai) Moon and Starks are really good. Starks is a tough cover. She made us work, no question about it.”
From there, the Wildcats would only get as close as two points one more time at 62-60 following a Moon bucket with under two minutes to play.
A 9-0 Redwings’ run immediately ensued – with six points coming from Stout – to end the game and bring the celebrated careers of Starks and Moon to an end.
“Myia and Kai (did great) and we were a few layups short,” Neuqua Valley coach Mike Williams said. “A couple things, but we had some big shots. You can go back-and-forth and Schramek hit some big shots for them. You can’t take everything away.”
