Benedict wins 100
Courtesy photo Iola Head Boys Basketball Coach Kent Benedict celebrated his 100th win Tuesday, Jan. 14, as his Bulldogs defeated the Wallis-Brazos Cougars 64-49, in front of his home crowd.
Iola High School’s Athletic Director and Varsity Boys Basketball Head Coach, Kent Benedict, reached 100 career wins Tuesday, Jan. 14, with a 64-49 win over the Wallis-Brazos Cougars on his home court. Benedict is going on his sixth year at Iola High School and has completely changed the atmosphere of the Iola Boys Basketball program.
Since Benedict has filled the role as head coach, Iola Boys Basketball has made history accomplishing consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in 22 years. Benedict recalls one of his most memorable wins over Mumford to earn Iola’s first playoff appearance in over two decades, “We beat Mumford for the first time in Iola history on a game winning shot to go to the playoffs for the first time.”
As Iola has been Benedict’s first head coaching job, he has learned a lot over the span of his time here. “The boys are going to make mistakes,” said Benedict. “They’re going to make mistakes, but they are going to make up for it so there’s no point in chewing them out too much. We’re all just learning together.”
All the boys in the basketball program agree that Coach Benedict acts as a huge motivator in athletics and in life. “Coach Benedict has taught me to always pay attention to the smaller details,” said senior Adam Crenshaw who has been a part of the program since Benedict got to Iola. “Through him, I’ve learned that no matter the situation--athletics or life--improving the small details will always bring you out on top.”
Coach Benedict also acts as a catalyst for success for many other players on his team. “Coach Benedict has motivated me to be a better person by pushing me to give 110 percent in practice and games,” said Zachary Hollingsworth, another senior who has been a part of Benedict’s Varsity team all four years. “He believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself, and when things got tough and I wanted to give up, he continued to push me to be my best. I’ll be forever thankful for the opportunity to be coached by him and to be a part of his 100th win.”
Though Benedict has come a long way to get 100 wins, he’s not ready to stop there. “My future goals as a coach is to continue getting our boys to playoffs and to advance beyond the first round, but also to continue to help these boys become more responsible and to enjoy being part of a team.”
In celebration of his 100th win, Coach Benedict was presented with congratulatory gifts from members throughout the community. “After the game Friday night, my wife surprised me with letters from former players and I realized that coaching is about making memories for these guys,” says Benedict, “They remember the bus rides, the pre-game activities, the post-game rituals, celebrating their wins, going to playoffs. Those are the memories that I’m able to be a part of, the memories that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.”