SPORTS SPOTLIGHT BY JOHN MONTGOMERY
Potential state basketball semifinal matchup in Class 4A between Benet [32-1) and DePaul Prep (29-3) is more than just a game. The contest puts Tom Kleinschmidt against his brother Dave Kleinschmidt who is an assistant and sophomore coach at Benet.
Both squads won regional titles last week. This would be a rematch as Benet beat the Rams to win Pontiac Holiday tournament.
"If that would happen it would be surreal," DePaul Prep head basketball coach Tom Kleinschmidt admitted. "Keep in mind we are in the Loyola sectional with seven top 25 teams. We are just focused on the next game."
"We haven't talked about and if that happened it would be great," Dave Kleinschmidt stated. "That game is down the road. We are focused on our next opponent in state tournament. We are both in tough sectionals."
Last season went well for the Kleinschmidt brothers on the court. Benet won its first state basketball title while the Rams won Class 3A in overtime over Brother Rice. The celebration was a little subdued as Tom Kleinschmidt, Sr. passed away.
"It was so special with both of us winning state championship," Dave Kleinschmidt declared. "The odds of both of us getting downstate were long odds and impossible to imagine."
Tom Kleinschmidt Sr had a major impact on both men growing up in Chicago. Mr. Kleinschmidt played basketball at Weber with a young man named Mike Krzyzewski. Kleinschmidt eventually became one of the best high school basketball referees in the state and worked three jobs to support his family.
"The players and coaches knew they were always going to get a fair whistle from my father, " Dave Kleinschmidt said.
"He had me around basketball at a young age," Tom Kleinschmidt Said about his father. "I got to meet legends and great players while learning the game of basketball. He would take me to watch games at Westinghouse."
The Kleinschmidt brothers are two different people with different backgrounds despite growing upin the game of basketball. Tom has essentially been a celebrity for most of his life. The older Kleinschmidt named after his father played grade school hoops at St John Bosco before attending Gordon and becoming one of the best Prep basketball players in our state.
The Rams lost the 1990 Class AA championship to King in his junior year. Three starters returned the following season as Kleinschmidt broke his ankle in a home game against Loyola ending his career and dreams of winning the state basketball championship that eluded him.
“I knew something was wrong after making the shot," Kleinschmidt admitted. ""We still had a good team I thought we would get back downstate. It was disappointing. It was hard to watch. We lost to a good team New Trier and Rick Hielscher in state playoffs."
Tom talked about being the center of attention as a player and coach.
"I have great friends and family who keep me humble," Kleinschmidt said. "I wouldn't do anything differently. I loved playing at DePaul University. I loved playing for Joey Meyer."
“Tom is just a normal guy," Dave Kleinschmidt said. "He is very humble and grateful. I love my brother. If anybody is a celebrity I think it is our father."
Dave played his high school basketball at St Patrick before becoming a coach with AAU Illnois Wolves for 17 years and special education teacher at Batavia. Tom was head varsity basketball coach at York before returning to take the reins at his alma mater DePaul Prep in 2012. The Rams are going for four straight state basketball banners joining Peoria Manual (1993-97) and Simeon (2009-2013).
Dave was a sophomore coach at York under his brother. Dave has led Benet to five sophomore conference basketball titles recently as head coach.
Both squads have been on a collision course and top of rankings and expectations since the season began in November. The Kleinschmidt brothers assessed both teams.
Tom talked about Benet who beat the Rams to win Pontiac Holiday tournament in December.
"Gene (Heidkamp) at Benet is one of the best coaches in the state," Kleinschmidt stated. "The culture of their program is great. They have been one of the most consistent winning programs the last 15 years in the state."
Dave talked about the Rams.
"They have great chemistry," Dave Kleinschmidt said. "They have been playing together since sophomore year."
This reporter would pay to watch the rematch at Assembly Hall with four of the best basketball players in the state facing each other. Benet is led by seniors Colin Stack and Jayden Wright. The Rams feature the dynamic duo of Rashaun Porter and Rykan Woo.
One team that might be overlooked is Curie (26-1) who just captured CPS championship with Justin Oliver and Mike Oliver, Jr.
Both brothers will admit the most important thing they learned from their father is to have good communication with players on and off the court. Players and coaches knew as long as they were professional and courteous they could ask questions of referee Tom Kleinschmidt Sr.
"I am more than just a basketball coach," DePaul Prep head basketball coach Tom Kleinschmidt admitted in a recent interview.
