SATURDAY GIRLS HOOPS REPORT

The No.1 girls hoops team in the Associated Press' Class 4A Illinois State Rankings, Benet Academy (24-2, 6-0), won for the ninth consecutive time defeating Joliet Catholic Academy 60-36 on Saturday. With the win, the Redwings clinch a tie for another East Suburban Catholic Conference championship. With a win at St. Viator (10-13, 3-1) on Wednesday, the Redwings will win the outright ESCC title.

JCA (14-15, 1-5) will conclude their ESCC schedule at home versus Marist (22-3, 4-1) on Wednesday.

Due to the great respect coache have throughout the state for the ESCC, the 14-15 Angels were awarded the No. 1 seed in the IHSA Class 2A Girls Wilmington Sectional Sub-sectional B.

The Class 2A state tournament begins on Monday, February 10.

Joliet West 58 Normal 40

The Joliet West Tigers hit the highway on Saturday morning to McLean County. Awaiting in Normal were the Normal Community Ironwomen (12-16). The No. 4 ranked Tigers were looking to make the Ironwomen their 19th consecutive victim.

The Tigers (24-3) opened up a 10-5 lead on Normal after one quarter. West led 23-12 at the half. Both squads increased their scoring in the third quarter and the Tigers held a 39-25 lead after three quarters. The Tiger defense stepped up in the fourth quarter, holding the Ironwomen to only five fourth-quarter points.

It is now 19 consecutive wins for the Joliet West Tiger girls basketball team.