By Luca Valentino ’15
The Benet varsity boys’ basketball team defeated Marist on Friday, January 7 by a score of 52-35. Benet, which is now 14-6 and 3-2 in the ESCC, is in sole possession of third place in the extremely competitive East Suburban Catholic Conference. The Redwings started quickly and led 26-10 early in the second quarter, but a late Marist run cut Benet’s halftime lead to 26-21. However, the Redwings outscored the Redhawks 15-6 in the third quarter and extended their lead to as many 21 in the second half. Benet allowed 14 of a season-low 35 points in the second half, and 5 of those points came within the last minute of the game; no Redhawk player scored more than nine points. Sean O’Mara scored a game-high 20 points for the Redwings, and Collin Pellettieri hit four three-pointers, giving him an ESCC-high 13 made threes in conference games.
Benet’s next game is today against Stevenson High School at the Batavia Night of Hoops. The 20-1 Patriots are ranked #2 in the state by the Chicago Tribune and are led by Jalen Brunson, the #2 junior point guard in the nation, according to ESPN RecruitingNation.
Benet Redwings 