In this week's Focus we looked at Benet and competing in the East Suburban Catholic Conference. The Redwings hope their schedule will prepare them for the playoffs and perhaps position themselves for an upset victory.
"We're playing better," said first-year Benet coach Gene Heidkamp. "January was a tough month from the standpoint we played very good competition." The schedule included Notre Dame, St. Joseph, Marist and Oswego, though the team isn't looking for moral victories, as Heidkamp pointed out: "Not that it matters, you got to beat these teams."
At 8-12, Benet now faces three games in five days beginning Friday at Nazareth. That's followed by a rivalry game against St. Francis on Saturday at Benedictine, and a Tuesday trip to Wheaton North. No matter what happens, his players will expect Heidkamp to remain steady.
"He gets mad when he should," Benet sophomore guard Dave Sobolewski said of his coach. "He's pretty laid-back, which all of us like. He's not that big of a yeller, but he is one when he has to be. ... He thinks (that) we're mature enough to get through it ourselves."
The stretch could push the Redwings close to .500 - or leave them very disappointed - but it won't impact their seeding. The online voting closed this morning, and the seeds will be released by the IHSA later today. Be sure to check back throughout the afternoon for the latest.
Leave a comment