Benton’s Stock on the Rise

Cecil Benton Jr.-Lima 2022

We got our first look at Cecil Benton Jr. (5’8/PG/Lima/2022) last March at our spring elite showcase, where his outstanding play led to an all-star game appearance and a Top 5 Award. Benton’s performance at the event also garnered him a spot in our top 20 list, as well as a 4^th Team All-Ohio selection.  In addition, Benton was selected to participate in both the Ohio North vs South and Ohio vs Kentucky All-Star games.  In addition to his showcase performance, Benton also led his Lima Gators to the championship game of the Buckeye Prep Summer Showdown in June. In terms of his game, Benton is a bigger guard who excels at scoring and slashing to the basket.  Benton is also good at driving and dishing, and he uses his size to post up smaller guards.

When the AAU season tips off in March, Benton will once again be running with his father’s Lima Gators squad.  Last season, Benton averaged 17 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds per game.  This school season, with his 4-1 Lima West Spartans team, Benton is averaging a gaudy 22 points and 5 assists per game, despite the fact he’s a 7^th grader playing up on the 8^th grade team (he was elevated after the first 7^th grade game).  In addition to staring on the basketball court, Benton played QB for the undefeated (13-0) Lima West football team.  He may be a basketball stud, but Benton prefers football at this point in his career, and plans to play both sports when he attends Lima Senior High School in a couple of years.

He’s not just an athlete; Benton also takes his education seriously and he has an impressive 4.0 GPA and Honor Roll honors to prove it.  Moreover, Benton was selected to the Buckeye Prep All-Academic Team this past season. With the 2017 season fast approaching, Benton has a chance to enhance his rankings.  In fact, his first opportunity will come with his participation at our elite showcase on March 4^th.