By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Benton was, at times, limited by a tenacious defensive attack by Bishop LeBlond, but the Cardinals (21-3) led by as many as 16 points and hung on for a 43-32 win over the Golden Eagles on Senior Night at Springer Gymnasium Thursday.
Benton, who clinched the MEC Conference title outright, only led 9-6 at the end of the first quarter, but the Cardinals pushed their lead to 20-8 by halftime, thanks to a pair of threes in the second quarter from Eliana Arambula and Andrea Simmons.
The Cardinal defense also held LeBlond (23-3) to just two second quarter points.
Benton appeared to be in control headed to the fourth quarter up 33-17. LeBlond, however, started the fourth on a 10-3 run to pull within single digits at 36-27, but that's about as close as it got late.
The Cardinals were put on the free throw line several times late in the game, as LeBlond fouled to try and save time. Benton managed to sink five out of their eight free throw attempts in the fourth quarter to fend off the Eagles.
Senior and Missouri Western signee Kelsey Johnson led the scoring Thursday with 18 points in her next-to-last regular season home game of her high school career.
"I thought we played hard, played good," Johnson said. "They sped us up a little bit, but we came back and settled back down after half and I think we played hard and gave it all we got."
Simmons scored nine for Benton, while Arambula finished with seven. Seniors Shae Lewis and Tatum Studer each led LeBlond with eight.
It was a special night for Benton Thursday, as they honored their five seniors. The Cardinals also finish with a perfect 9-0 record this season against MEC opponents.
"I mean, we've been preparing for this game for awhile," Johnson said of the matchup with LeBlond. "We knew it was going to be a big one. It's a big win, and we've been fighting for this win for awhile."
LeBlond has a first-round bye in the Class 2 District 16 bracket as the No. 1 seed. The Eagles will see either St. Joseph Christian or North Andrew in district semifinals on Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. in Rosendale.
Benton has its regular season finale at home next Thursday against Pembroke Hill.
Benton boys nab lead early, never look back in win over LeBlond
An 11-0 first quarter run helped Benton take a 13-7 lead at the end of the first quarter, and the Cardinals never trailed again in a 49-34 triumph over Bishop LeBlond on Senior Night at Benton High School Thursday.
Benton (11-13) led 25-16 at halftime and then 38-24 by the end of the third. That lead, however, didn't come easy.
LeBlond (16-9) made each of their first two basket attempts to start the third quarter, making it a 25-20 ballgame. That prompted a quick timeout from Benton coach Jared Boone, and the Cardinals followed it up with a 7-0 to spurt to go back up by a dozen.
"The response is what I wanted," Boone said of the timeout. "Frustration that I had to call the timeout, but with a young team, you're going to have those growing pains. These guys are doing a great job. They're working their tails off, they're getting better each game and I couldn't be more proud."
The Cardinals got back up by double figures, and the result was never really in question during the fourth quarter. Senior Denver Domann, playing in the final regular season home game of his varsity career, showed the way Thursday with a game-high 17 points.
"Feels like I was just a freshman last week," Domann said. "I'm going to miss it a lot."
"He's a big difference maker for us," Boone said of Domann. "We knew going into the game that we had the advantage on the inside. The game plan was to feed him early and capitalize on those situations, and I thought he did a good job."
Junior Talan McDowell scored 13 for Benton, while freshman Mach Mayom and senior Adrian Byrd each followed with six.
Senior Jake Korell led LeBlond with 14 points. Senior Kohen Sumpter had eight.
All-in-all, coach Boone got about all he could have asked for on Senior Night - a night where his team was without Myles Bachali in the lineup.
"Guys are stepping up and doing things I've asked them to do," Boone said. "It's really showing for us right now."
LeBlond was without senior Landon Gardner Thursday. The Golden Eagles are the No. 1 seed in Class 2 District 16, and will face either St. Joseph Christian or Albany in district semifinals on February 22 at 6 p.m. in Rosendale.
The Benton boys have their regular season finale at Pembroke Hill next Wednesday.
You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.