Tipoff–7:30 p.m. Friday at Benet, 2200 Maple Ave., Lisle.
Records–St. Edward 4-0; Benet 2-1.
Jerry Shnay`s pick–Benet by 10.
What to watch–This would be a close game anyplace but the Benet gym, where the Redwings have posted 86 consecutive victories. Porter Moser, a 6-3 guard, and Mike Geist, the 6-5 son of Benet coach Bill Geist, will be difficult to control in this West Suburban Catholic Conference showdown. Benet must stop St. Edward`s 6-8 Mike Jeffers.
Loyola
vs. St. Francis de Sales
Tipoff–8 p.m. Friday at St. Francis de Sales, 10155 S. Ewing, Chicago.
Records–Loyola 2-1; de Sales 3-1.
Jerry Shnay`s pick–de Sales by 5.
What to watch–Eric Anderson, a 6-8 1/2 sophomore, and Eric Smith, a 6-7 junior, give de Sales the size and ability needed to compete in the Catholic League. Look for 6-3 Rich Stejskal and 6-2 Gavin Woodward to keep Loyola in the game.
Crystal Lake South
vs. Crystal Lake Central
Tipoff–7:30 p.m. Friday at Crystal Lake Central, 45 W. Franklin, Crystal Lake.
Records–Crystal Lake S. 4-1; Crystal Lake C. 4-0.
Linda Young`s pick–Crystal Lake C. by 4.
What to watch–South matches its quickness against Central`s size in this Fox Valley Conference rivalry. Central has 6-8 Bill Heppner (12.5 points a game) inside. South, which doesn`t have a starter taller than 6-3, will press from end to end and will rely on the perimeter scoring of Pat Roche.
Homewood-Flossmoor
vs. Bloom Trail
Tipoff–8 p.m. Friday at Bloom Trail, Sauk Trail and Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago Heights.
Records–H-F 3-0; Bloom Trail 3-0.
Linda Young`s pick–Bloom Trail by 1.
What to watch–If Bloom Trail stays close on the boards, it`ll stay close on the scoreboard in this South Inter-Conference Association East Division game. H-F is led by burly 6-5 senior Dick Seidel (18 points a game). Bloom Trail has to get inside to take the pressure off guard Wilbon Perry (14.5 points a game). H-F starting guard Tim Walton is out of the lineup with strained knee ligaments.
Hersey vs. Palatine
Tipoff–7:30 p.m. Friday at Palatine, 1111 North Rohlwing Rd., Palatine.
Records–Hersey 3-1; Palatine 2-1.
Linda Young`s pick–Hersey by 2.
What to watch–Palatine`s ability to generate some offense. It`s averaging just 42 points a game and only guard Claude Royster (13 points a game) has been scoring consistently for the Mid-Suburban League North Division contenders. Palatine`s defense must keep the ball away from 6-10 Hersey center Bill Markham.
