By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
Despite playing just two games in the month of December, the Bennington High School girls basketball team has been putting the pieces together as we approach the midway point of the season, with an opportunity to build a strong resume down the stretch.
The Bulldogs had to overcome plenty of rust early, but have since picked things up, winning three of their last four en route to a solid 5-3 record.
“I’m happy with where we’re moving,” Bulldog head coach TJ Trout said. “Sitting out the month of December we knew it was going to be tough coming into January but up to this point we’ve been able to get our practices and games in and as our conditioning catches up we’re starting to play up to what we knew we’re capable of.”
Bennington is led by a strong core of veteran players consisting of Kyla Kind, who leads the team with just under 10 points per game, Olivia Lawson who has kept opponents off the glass, Peyton Piepho and Jasey Downing.
“We have a great group of seniors and with their leadership we’ve been able to remain positive and rise to the occasion of the challenges that we’ve faced,” Trout said.
Defensively, Bennington has been great, holding opponents to just 30 points per game and holding Wichita Classical to just eight earlier this year.
“Defensively I feel like things are coming along nicely,” he said. “Offensively we’re really trying to grow, we’re getting good looks and spreading the ball well but we’ve struggled from the field. Physically we’re capable but we have to grow in confidence mentally.”
Despite the challenge to find points at times, the Bulldogs have scrapped together a solid resume, and opportunities to build on that will continue to come their way.
Following a meeting with Marion, the next four opponents for Bennington will all enter with winning records, a pristine opportunity for the Bulldogs to get into a rhythm heading into sub-state.
“As we get to the postseason with the current situation there are so many variables that we don’t know so we have to develop a next player up mentality and continue to be flexible,” Trout said. “We feel that we have what we need and we can’t make excuses, we just have to encourage each other and continue to work every day.”
Bennington will be back in action tonight when they travel to Marion seeking a win over the 1-9 Warriors.