Daniel Pauliukonis’ big first half sparks Benet past Bloom

PONTIAC—Benet’s Daniel Pauliukonis may be the area’s most under-the-radar Division I recruit.

The 6-9 senior, signed with SIU, had some nice games last season, and sparkled in club basketball over the summer. His full arsenal of skills was displayed in a 58-44 win against Bloom in the quarterfinals of the 93rd Pontiac Holiday Tournament on Friday.

Pauliukonis finished with 20 points and six rebounds. He scored on threes, midrange jumpers, takes to the basket and post moves.

“I got off to a good start so that was nice, got in my groove,” Pauliukonis said. “In the second half when they started face-guarding me I set some screens and helped get the other guys open.”

Pauliukonis scored 18 in the first half to help the Redwings jump out to a 34-20 halftime lead. Benet stayed in control throughout the second half.

“Daniel played great,” Benet coach Gene Heidkamp said. “In the second half, they tagged him. They face-guarded him with Elijah Lovemore. They made a concerted effort to take him out of the game.”

Senior Blake Fagbemi had 14 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Redwings. Junior Jayden Wright added 10 points and four assists. Fagbemi and Wright provide Benet with a dynamic, dependable backcourt that complements the size of Pauliukonis and 7-2 junior Colin Stack (nine points, eight rebounds).

Gabe Sularski, one of the state’s top juniors, transferred from Benet to Lemont over the summer. The Redwings (12-1) have replaced his offense seamlessly. And unlike some of Benet’s previous successful teams, this group isn’t reliant on three-pointers.

“There is more balance,” Heidkamp said. “We have a ways to go defensively. But offensively we have a little bit more balance and diversity. We can score around the rim more. We have guys that can slash and get to the rim.”

Sophomore Xavier Martin led Bloom (8-3) with 13 points and Adam Page added 12 points and eight rebounds.

Benet will face Simeon in the semifinals on Saturday.