The Herald's Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Katie Benson

SNOHOMISH -- A bit of Jekyll and Hyde lives in Katie Benson.

Most of the time, Benson is any easy-going teenager, quick to laugh or crack a joke. But when she steps on a basketball court, look out.

"Katie's kind of a free spirit who just enjoys life," said Ken Roberts, Benson's head basketball coach at Snohomish High School, "but when she's on the court she's serious."

At first glance, the 6-foot-1 Benson appears lanky. But she has no trouble bashing with foes near the basket. The versatile forward played as physical as anyone in the Western Conference North Division this past season, Roberts said. Recalling photos of Benson from local sports pages, Roberts cited a common theme: "The focus on her face is amazing."

When it mattered most, Benson cranked up her intensity even more. The senior averaged 17.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.6 blocks and 3.4 steals this season. She generated some of her best performances at the Class 4A state tournament, where Snohomish reached the championship game. It won league and district titles before finishing 24-3 after losing to nationally ranked Kentwood in the state final.

For helping propel the talent-packed Panthers, Benson is The Herald's 2008-2009 All-Area Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

Benson did most of her offensive damage with a potent array of post moves. She praised others for making her look good. "Obviously, all of my success I give up to the coaching staff and my teammates," said Benson.

A four-year starter, Benson played on Snohomish teams that won three top-eight trophies at state (seventh in 2007 and 2008; second this year). Along the way, she became one of the top players in program history. Benson finished with more career rebounds (684) and blocks (234) than any other Panther, according to coach Roberts. She is No. 2 on the career scoring list with 1,237 points -- 63 fewer than Milena Flores (1,300 points), a 1996 Snohomish graduate who starred at Stanford University and played professionally. Benson had a higher per-game scoring average than Flores but did not play as many games.

"She's one of the better kids that I've ever coached. You never have to get on her about working hard," Roberts said of Benson, a Seattle Pacific University recruit who broke Snohomish's single-game scoring mark with 38 points Dec. 29 in a non-league double-overtime win over Jefferson (Portland, Ore.).

Here is where Benson's story really diverges from the path of most high school standouts: Unlike the vast majority of big-time prep players, Benson did not compete for a summer select team, trekking across the country trying to catch the eye of college coaches.

Why?

"I didn't want to get burned out on basketball," Benson said. "A lot of girls that do play year-round, basketball is their life. For me, basketball is not my life. It's just a game I like to play."

Another reason: Benson was part of a Snohomish team that shared the goal of winning a state title. But on a select team the objective, she said, is to impress recruiters and play selfishly. Benson had no interest in that.

"Katie did it the right way," said Roberts, who does not like the entrenched select-team system.

Benson proved players can get noticed by going a different route. Instead of playing 50 or 60 games over the summer, she worked on fundamentals, especially post moves. She also lifted weights, adding strength that paid off throughout her senior season.

"Ultimately, that's what made her into the player she is," Lake Stevens girls basketball coach Randall Edens said, referring to Benson's focus on fundamentals. "She's just so good down there (in the post)."

Will Benson's story make younger players think twice about jumping into select ball? Benson said she just hopes everyone makes a decision that works for them.

This past season the parent of a younger player approached Benson. The parent asked if it was important to get the young player into AAU or select hoops. Benson's response: "It's not the best idea. Get your kid involved with other things in life so that they become more of a well-rounded person and not just a basketball player."

That was Benson's priority. In the summer, she had time to get involved in her church youth group, attend Christian camps and bond with non-basketball friends.

"It's nice having a break in the summer," she said. "I mean, I'm still working hard and training but there's no pressure."

Benson picked Seattle Pacific, a highly successful Division-II program, because of her religious beliefs and the school's convenient location. She will have a chance to play with her sister, Sydney Benson, a 2005 Snohomish graduate, and Daesha Henderson, a 2006 Snohomish grad and The Herald's 2005-2006 All-Area Player of the Year.

Katie Benson received significant interest from prominent Division-I schools, coach Roberts said. But SPU was the best destination, Benson decided. There's little doubt she could compete at a higher level though.

"In every way, she fits the D-I mold," Edens said. "SPU got a steal. That's for sure."