By Blake Chadwick
After making it to the state tournament for the first time since 2011, Wichita Northwest pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the year after knocking off the defending state champion, Blue Valley Northwest Grizzlies, in the state tournament.
The Grizzlies ended up finishing fourth, but after a great summer and some key additions, don’t be surprised when the Grizzlies start making some waves.
Senior point guard Eli Benning is one of the best point guards in the state and is fresh off of a season where he was named to the all-city league first team after averaging 11.4 points per game, 7.4 assists per game 5.2 rebounds per game, and 4.1 steals per game.
Benning is a do-it-all guard who only has one thing on his mind, and that is winning.
“I have been working hard for a long time, and getting some recognition for the hard work I’ve put in throughout the years feels good,” Benning said. “As a team, I want to make it back to WSU, and I want to break the record for assists at Northwest and to get first team all-league and state this year.”
Benning has been chasing greatness his whole career, and now, as a senior, he will make sure that everyone else is on the same page.
“I’m going to make sure my team works hard all year, starting in practice,” Benning said. “I will make sure we stay laser-focused and never take a day off.”
