The Benson sisters figured they’d never get a chance to play on the same basketball team. But thanks to a few twists and turns their childhood dream might finally come true.
Katie Benson, a senior at Snohomish High School, verbally committed last month to play for the Seattle Pacific University women’s basketball team. Benson, a 6-foot-1 forward, helped lead Snohomish to seventh place at the Class 4A state tournament in March.
Her older sister, Sydney Benson, is a 2005 Snohomish graduate who played three seasons at Eastern Washington University before deciding this past spring to transfer to Seattle Pacific. Sydney, a 6-2 forward, averaged 11.5 points and 7.4 rebounds for Eastern during the 2007-2008 season, leading the team in both categories.
The sisters said they reached their decisions separately and they’re thrilled to have a chance to team up.
“It was just another bonus because we have always dreamed of playing together,” said Katie Benson, who committed to SPU Aug. 19. “I was just really excited because she’s my best friend. It’s nice knowing that my freshman year I’ll have my best friend on my team for the first time.”
Katie Benson has one more year to go at Snohomish. Sydney Benson plans to use a medical redshirt in 2008-2009 and use her final year of eligibility the next season, when Katie will be a freshman.
Sydney Benson, who calls Katie her “ultimate best friend,” is recovering from a back injury that developed two years ago and worsened this past season. The Eastern staff’s lack of support following her injury was a key factor in her decision to transfer, Sydney said.
A starter at Eastern since the second half of her freshman year, Sydney Benson previously helped lead Snohomish to the Class 4A state championship game in 2005. She tallied 20 points and 14 rebounds in a 63-58 overtime loss against Garfield in the finals.
The Bensons both cited their Christian beliefs as a main reason for wanting to attend SPU, whose women’s hoops team competes in the NCAA Division II Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
Katie Benson, who averaged 18.8 points and 8.5 rebounds at the 2008 4A state tourney, said SPU has been her No. 1 choice since she first visited the school two summers ago.
“The first time I stepped onto their campus it just felt like a second home. It just felt so good,” she said.
Seattle Pacific’s roster features two other players with local connections: junior guard Daesha Henderson is a 2006 Snohomish grad. Sophomore forward Caitlyn Rohrbach graduated from Meadowdale the same year.
New athletic directors at Everett and Arlington
Kelly Clapp and Tom Roys are the new athletic directors at Everett and Arlington, respectively. Clapp takes over for Jo Levin, who resigned in June. Roys replaces Allen Jefferson, who submitted his resignation in February.
Clapp, a 1981 Snohomish grad, has been an assistant principal at Everett for 21/2 years and will continue in that role. She competed in cross country and track at Snohomish and has coached both sports.
Asked about her goals at Everett, Clapp said: “What we really want to do is carry on a proud, rich tradition while really working to build a very strong future.”
Roys is beginning his 20th year at Arlington. He has coached basketball, football, cross country, track and baseball at the school. Athletics are an important extension of what students learn in the classroom, he said.
“It’s just a passion that I have in terms of giving kids opportunities and having a place where they can learn values and determination,” said Roys.
Roys, 45, played football, basketball and baseball at Brewster in Eastern Washington. He also rowed for the University of Washington crew team.
Jackson boys cross country ranked nationally
The 2008 Harrier Super 25 preseason cross country poll includes the Jackson boys team, ranked No. 20 in the nation. North Central of Spokane is No. 1. Last year Jackson placed fifth at the 4A state meet, led by seventh-place individual finisher Mitchell Briggs. Briggs was a sophomore and Jackson’s other two top runners were juniors.
Writer Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at www.heraldnet.com/doubleteam.
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