BHS basketball player reaps rewards

During his junior season, Bingham High’s Cody Benson was the ninth guy in the rotation for the Miners basketball team and scored 38 points all season. This year is a different story for the senior who spent six days a week conditioning over the summer and earned the starting spot at shooting guard.

“I’ve had a much bigger role this year,” Benson said. “But I’ve worked hard for it and tried to prepare myself to be ready for the challenge.”

“He’s one of the hardest working kids I’ve ever coached,” Bingham assistant coach JJ Wilson said. “He is a natural athlete, but it’s his sheer work ethic that is admirable.”

The son of Scott and Kathleen Benson of South Jordan averages nearly 15 points a game while also leading the 6-10squad in three-point shooting this season. The Miners have won the region title the past seven years but have struggled to replace the top three scorers from a year ago.

“Despite not having a typical year for us, Cody has been an example to our team of staying positive and upbeat,” Wilson said. “It’s been pretty impressive to watch him lead the others in working to improve and building on each step we take.”

“Even though this year has been hard, it has been good for us,” Benson said. “It is building us into what we are trying to become.”

Benson credits his teammates for not giving up and using adversity to fuel their drive to improve. He also noted the support the Miners receive from the student section – the pit crew – who not only cheer at home games but have traveled to all of the away games this season.

The senior has been playing basketball since he was little and loves the teamwork aspect of the sport and the feeling he gets each time he steps on the court. He said the game has taught him valuable lessons.

“I’ve really learned how to work hard and stay with it to accomplish my goals,” he said.

Benson has also been a member of the Miners tennis team for three years while serving as captain the past two seasons.

The 6’0 guard would love to play in college but hasn’t received any offers yet. For now, he’s just trying to help Bingham win games.

“It’s just been a pleasure all year to be a part of this team even though we’ve had our ups and downs,” Benson said. “We’re in it for each other and we’ll stick with it forever no matter what.”