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INDIANAPOLIS — Aaron Fine knew Jack Benter was special nearly a decade ago. The two met as third graders during a weekend AAU basketball tournament, and Fine said his first impression was Benter had the potential to be the “missing piece” any team needs.
Exhibit A?
“We played a team that used to kick our butts, but I remember beating them in the championship game,” Fine said. “It just started something between us.”
Exhibit B?
There were 90 seconds remaining in the first half of the Indiana All-Stars vs. Kentucky game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday, and Indiana was ahead 40-31. Benter earned a starting spot, but only recorded five points up to this point.
‘We took it personal.’ No technical difficulty this time as All-Stars beat Kentucky
By halftime, Indiana led Kentucky 50-31 thanks to eight quick points from Benter and a dunk from 2024 IndyStar Mr. Basketball Flory Bidunga of Kokomo. Benter capped off his scoring spree to end the first half with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from half court.
The Brownstown Central star and Purdue recruit smiled after the game as he thought back to the celebration with his teammates that ensued at mid-court after he sunk the deep 3.
“I got my first bucket and I just kept going at ’em,” Benter said. “They just kept giving me lanes … Once I hit one or two, the goal just keeps getting bigger.”
Benter finished with 16 points, helping guide Indiana to a 92-89 win against its bordering counterparts.
Indiana All-Stars coach John Peckinpaugh had previously watched some of Benter’s tape but said he gained a whole new level of appreciation for Benter’s talent once he met the Brownstown Central standout. Peckinpaugh described Benter as someone who is intelligent, can make every play and someone who brings a calming presence along with him.
Standing in a closet beside the Indiana locker room at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Benter also remembered playing alongside Fine at an AAU tournament as a third grader. In fact, he said those weekend’s games were the first…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jack-benter-aaron-fine-start-115414931.html
Author : IndyStar | The Indianapolis Star
Publish date : 2024-06-09 11:54:14
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