Top-ranked Redwings struggle past Nazareth in ESCC for win No. 20

Since getting beat up by Dowling (IA) Catholic 69-58 in Benet Academy's own Chicagoland Invitational on January 4, the top-ranked Redwings have been winning — but just barely.

On January 8, without Wisconsin-bound senior Brooke Schramek, the Redwings picked up maybe their most impressive win of the season, defeating No. 6 in Illinois, Chicago Simeon 51-48. Simeon is 22-2 for the season.

Trailing 22-7 in the first half at Marian Catholic (19-6), Benet escaped with a 39-36 victory on January 10.

This weekend, a pair of two-point victories over Fenwick (19-6) and Thornwood (11-8) were won in Lisle and Villa Park.

Wednesday, Nazareth (14-9, 1-1), who on Monday night at home in La Grange Park escaped the 7-15 Foxes of Yorkville, 49-43, gave the Redwings all they could handle. The Redwings (20-2, 3-0) picked up their 20th victory of the season, defeating the Roadrunners 59-49, in East Suburban Catholic Conference play.

Benet Academy (20-2) joins their neighbors from Lisle High School (20-3) and Joliet Central (20-4) in the 20-win club among Enterprise Newspaper area schools. Joliet West (19-3), Maine South (19-5) and Downers Grove North (19-5) are one win away from joining the area girls 20-win club.