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Sports

Analysis: Redwings Face Ultimate Challenge In Bolingbrook

Benet embraces its role as underdog in Thursday's sectional title game.

ROMEOVILLE – After the handshakes and hugs were completed following Tuesday night’s 56-52 win over Waubonsie Valley in the Class 4A Romeoville Sectional semifinals, Benet Academy had to start looking ahead to its reward for the win.

There is no challenge bigger in Illinois high school girls basketball than Bolingbrook these days, and that’s what awaits the Redwings on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

“All this gives us is an opportunity to play the top team in the state,” Benet coach Peter Paul said. “I’m just happy with the win today. It gives us an opportunity.”

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The Raiders' accomplishments are so great that they defy probability. The Raiders have won 60 straight games in Illinois, including the past two state titles. Point guard Ariel Massengale is committed to Tennessee and is a McDonald’s All-American. Junior Morgan Tuck is even more highly regarded and already committed to Connecticut.

“Benet is a good team but Bolingbrook is so athletic and they have the longest arms I’ve ever seen on any players,” Waubonsie Valley coach Kim Connell said. “I hope they give them a game. It would be nice to see somebody different go to state.”

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Several of Benet’s players attended Bolingbrook win over Naperville Central on Monday to get a visual of what they should expect. They came away impressed.

“They’re very quick, physical and very tough,” Benet sophomore Christen Prasse said. “We’re going to have to step up our game in all facets. We’re going to have to change our game to their pace. If we do that, I definitely think we have a chance.”

Benet will have a big size disadvantage Thursday, just as the Redwings did Tuesday. But they regained their shooting touch after three off games, hitting six three-pointers Tuesday, including five from Sidney Prasse. That will be the big key for Benet to stay in the game.

“I don’t know that answer but we’re hoping to at least give them a really good game,” said Sidney Prasse when asked how a team could beat Bolingbrook.

“As long as we have our shots on, we can all drive and shoot. They have size on us, obviously, but so did [Waubonsie] and we beat them. They’re very physical. I played with some of them over the summer and they’re really good players. We have to play to our fullest potential, every single one of us, to beat them.”

Bolingbrook has beaten its Illinois competitors by an average of about 50 points per game this season but that doesn’t bother Benet.

“We love being the underdogs,” Sidney Prasse said. “We were the underdogs in this game and we surprised everybody. That’s what we’re best at. No one really expects short, skinny people to win, but we battled. That’s what we have to do against Bolingbrook and that will give us a chance.”

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