Benton Cardinals chase history: first quarterfinal appearance in 18 years
The Benton Cardinals boys basketball team is once again taking the spotlight of the Class 4 state tournament, as they will face Center in the quarterfinal round. It'll be another road test for the Cardinals, but after handling St. Pius X 67-38, the team is feeling confident and ready to bring back some hardware to the southside.
It’s been 18 long years since the Cardinals last reached the quarterfinal round of the state tournament, as that 2007 run was a defining moment. Since then, however, constant success had proven elusive.
Enter Benton alum Jared Boone. Hired four years ago, he’s transformed the Cardinals into a contender, compiling a 77-34 record and positioning his team for a potential state title run.
“18 years is a long time and, you know, there's been a lot of ups and downs throughout that 18 years,” Boone said. “I'm just glad that we was able to finally get over the hump.”
Benton is loaded with juniors and sophomores, but at the heart of it all is senior Myles Bachali, the steady presence that keeps the team together. A four-year varsity starter, Bachali has been through the ups and downs of the program and now has a chance to end his high school career on the biggest stage.
“It's really exciting because I've been here for four years, played varsity all four, and haven't made it nowhere this far,” Bachali said. “It just means a lot to be here, and I like to be with the group of kids I'm with right now.”
The team has been dominant this season, finishing the regular season 23-3 before taking down Lafayette for a district title and rolling past St. Pius X in sectionals. With each victory, the excitement builds, but the team is staying grounded, focusing on the present rather than looking too far ahead.
“We've been talking about it since the postseason started, just get to 1-0 each day, you know, not looking past anybody, not looking too far ahead down the road, you know, just what's in front of us,” Boone said.
As a former player, Boone came close to a district championship but never captured one himself. Now, as the head coach, he’s making sure his players get the moment he once dreamed of.
Coaching at his alma mater is more than just a job, it’s a passion. From the sidelines, he’s pouring everything he has into the program that shaped him.
“It's very special to me. You know, I've said it time and time before, this was always my dream job,” Boone said.
The emotions running through the team are nearly impossible to put into words. For the seniors, every game could be their last, adding both excitement and nerves as they continue their postseason run.
“I'm so excited, but I'm also so nervous because this season can end at any time,” Bachali said. “There's no more after this, there’s no more high school, so it's just, I'm excited and just nervous, too, at the same time.”
