Cedars, March 2018

March 2018 17 SPORTS Transfer Bennett Turns in Record-Breaking Year by Tim Miller B aylee Bennett was recruited by just two schools out of high school. Cedar- ville University scouted Bennett, but never offered her a spot on the team because of her size. Standing at 5-foot-5, Bennett settled for NAIA Division II member Cincinnati Christian University. Although she was a marksman from behind the 3-point line, Bennett’s small frame forced her to commit to a low-profile school. “Even though I was tiny, I had high hopes and big dreams of playing college basketball,” said Bennett, who played at Kenton Ridge High School near Springfield. Before even playing one regular sea- son game, the Cedarville coaching staff said they’d regretted not offering Bennett a spot on the team. In a scrimmage before the 2015-16 regular season, Bennett torched Cedarville’s defense. “We scrimmaged her and she lit us up,” Cedarville head coach Kari Hoffman said. “I remember thinking that if she ever wants to come back home, there’d be a place for her here.” After one season at CCU, Bennett was un- happy. She decided to transfer and opened up her recruitment. Upon receiving Bennett’s offi- cial release, Hoffman pounced on the opportu- nity to get Bennett in a Lady Jackets uniform. “We talked once on the phone and then she came up for a visit,” Hoffman said. “I could tell she was coming from a situation she was really unhappy with. She was look- ing for a better opportunity and I knew we could create that for her.” The high interest was mutual. Hoffman said Bennett committed to Cedarville short- ly after her visit. Hoffman was confident that she could create a mutually beneficial relationship, but the result has exceeded both Hoffman’s and Bennett’s expectations. After finding her way into the starting lineup quickly as a sophomore, Bennett av- eraged 13.4 points per game. Even better, Bennett sustained her impeccable range from deep, nailing 94 triples in total. Now a junior, Bennett got even better this season. Shouldering much of the of- fensive load for the G-MAC champion Lady Jackets, Bennett upped her scoring to 14.2 points per game, including a 35-point out- burst against Trevecca on Feb. 3. In that game against Trevecca, Bennett began shattering records. She connected on 11 of her 3-point attempts, breaking the school and conference record for most in a game. The former holder of the school record was the one who brought her to Cedarville. Hoffman had quite the career of her own with the Lady Jackets and owned the record for most triples in a game and in a season for Cedarville, until Bennett swiped away those records this year. On Feb. 22, Bennett broke her second school-record of the season, this time set- ting the mark for most triples in a season. Hoffman made 99 in the 2003-04 season, and Bennett shattered the mark with over a week left in the season. Bennett made 109 total 3-pointers this season. While Bennett was made aware that she was approaching both records, she didn’t let it dominate her thoughts, saying it’s important to focus on winning games. Bennett thought the accomplishments were nice, but didn’t focus on them too much. Rather, she pointed to the privilege of play- ing for Hoffman and with her teammates. “I don’t really care much about records and stats,” Bennett said. “It’s an honor because I get to play for coach Hoffman and every day she believes in me. This program has just been awesome to play for and I’m so thankful.” While Hoffman knows how important Bennett is to the team, she joked that she needs to give Bennett less playing time so she can maintain at least some of the re- cords she set in the early 2000s. In a more serious tone, Hoffman acknowledged how good Bennett is even compared to herself. “It’s an absolute honor to have her break my records,” Hoffman said. “She’s a much better shooter than I ever was and she definitely works harder than I did.” Even with one less season to play at Ce- darville than Hoffman got, Bennett will come close to setting the career-mark for triples. She’s 135 away with one season left to go. Hoffman praised Bennett for her work ethic, saying she’s the hardest worker she’s ever seen. “The standard she sets for making her- self better is impressive to me,” Hoffman said. “It carries over to her teammates. She has been above and beyond the player I thought we were getting.” Bennett said that although she’d want- ed to go to Cedarville her whole life, trusting in God’s plan has been worth the winding journey. “Cedarville has been a complete bless- ing,” Bennett said. “It’s been so awesome to be here, and I can’t say enough about it.” TimMiller is a sophomore marketing major and sports editor for Cedars. He enjoys hav- ing a baby face, sipping Dunkin Donuts cof- fee and striving to be the optimal combina- tion of Dwight Schrute and Ron Swanson. Photo by Macey Wymer Baylee Bennett set CU 3-point shooting records for a game and a season. (937) 766-9852 105 W Xenia Ave, Cedarville, OH 45314 From oil changes to brake jobs we have proudly served the Cedarville community for over ten years. Free shuttle service for University students!