Dakota 64, Alden-Hebron 49: As if being pulled up to varsity as a sophomore wasn’t enough pressure for Kyle Benning, the Dakota forward is also the coach’s son.
It took some time to adjust, but after a slow start to the season, Benning has become one of the more dangerous players in the area. On Monday, he scored 22 points to help lead the Indians to a 64-49 win against Alden-Hebron in the opening round at the Class 1A Pecatonica Regional.
“It took me a while to start playing like I can,” said Kyle, the son of Dakota coach Brian Benning. “I was playing tentative when the season started, but now I’m having fun.”
The win sends No. 4 Dakota (16-11) to Wednesday’s semifinals where the Indians play top-seeded South Beloit (25-1) at 6 p.m. Dakota has lost to South Beloit twice this season, including a 77-58 decision on Friday.
Benning had 16 of his game-high points in the second half after owning a close 34-27 lead at halftime. Alden-Hebron outrebounded Dakota 18-10 in the first two quarters, and the Indians never had a comfortable lead on the No. 5 Giants.
“Alden-Hebron outscrapped us, outfought us, outworked us on the boards,” Dakota coach Brian Benning said. “We were fortunate to survive.”
Austin Oberbruner (17 points), and Jon Roemer (13) also scored in double figures for Dakota. Jared Hilton (17 points) and Zak Engelbrecht (14 points, eight rebounds) led Alden-Hebron.
The regional resumes tonight with the other two quarterfinal games — No. 2 Freeport Aquin plays No. 7 Keith, and No. 3 Pecatonica faces No. 6 Durand.
- Emily Tropp, rrstar.com
