Benedictine University is proud to announce the Second Annual Eagle Club Shoot Out, bringing 10 of the area's top high school basketball team to the Rice Center for a one-day event on Sunday, December 18.
“The Eagle Club has done a great job in bringing some quality teams for this event,” Benedictine Head Men's Basketball Coach Keith Bunkenberg said. “This event is a great opportunity for teams to play in a wonderful college facility and to showcase Benedictine University and the recent renovations to the Rice Center to members of the community.”
The event will feature five games pitting teams from the area. Nine of the teams compete in Class 4A with one in 3A. The first matchup features Maine South against Wheaton-Warrenville South at 12:00 p.m. Wheaton-Warrenville South will be the first of three teams from the DuPage Valley Conference to compete in the event. The Tigers are currently 1-4 on the season and lost in last year's Regional Final after finishing as the runner-up in the conference to another team on the Shoot Out schedule. Maine South lost in the Regional Final last season and owns a 3-2 mark this year.
The 1:45 p.m. contest features another DuPage Valley Conference member, Wheaton North, taking on St. Laurence. St. Laurence is the alma mater of current Benedictine basketball player Tim McGinty and owns a 3-2 record with three games decided by under 10 points. Wheaton North is presently 1-4 but all four games have been decided by 10 points or less.
The lone 3A team will take to the floor in the 3:15 p.m. contest as Nazareth Academy takes on Providence Catholic. Nazareth currently owns a 2-4 mark and plays in the same conference as fellow Shoot Out participant Benet Academy. Benedictine player Tommy Major attended Providence.
Glenbard East meets Plainfield Central in the 5:00 p.m. game. Glenbard East finished third in the state last season with a pair of Division I recruits and is ranked 12th in this week's Daily Herald Top 20 with a 3-1 record. The Rams have won 29 consecutive games in the DuPage Valley Conference. Plainfield Central lost in the Regional Final last season and currently owns a record of 2-3.
The final matchup at 6:45 p.m. pits Benet Academy, located across the street from Benedictine, and Brother Rice. Benet had a 43-game regular season unbeaten streak snapped earlier this week but is ranked fourth in the Daily Herald's Top 20 with a 4-1 record. The Redwings lost in the Sectional Semifinal last year after an undefeated regular season which featured a pair of Division I players and a championship at the prestigious Proviso West Tournament. Brother Rice lost in Regional Final and owns a 3-1 mark. The Crusaders come from the Chicago Catholic League along with St. Laurence and Providence.
The Eagle Club serves as the fundraising arm for Benedictine University Athletics, providing support for all 21 varsity sports. Unrestricted and sport-specific gifts provide the Athletic Department with the opportunity to meet immediate funding needs including expenses associated with student-athlete uniforms, equipment, travel and other team related costs. Gifts made to the Eagle Club provide a valuable foundation of support that helps to make Benedictine Athletics broad-based program possible.
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