Christian has another ‘baby-faced’ shooter. And Seth Bennett’s pretty good
MINT HILL
There’s a high school basketball star at Charlotte Christian who has a baby face, who’s probably underrated among elite in-state recruits. He’s quiet by nature, but he can absolutely shoot the cover off the ball.
Yes, you’ve probably heard that narrative before about a Charlotte Christian star, and we’re not saying that Knights senior Seth Bennett is the next Stephen Curry, but there aren’t too many players in the area enjoying a better start to their season.
Bennett, a 6-foot-2 guard, is the leading scorer for a team that ranks No. 94 on MaxPreps national poll. He averages 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and four assists for the Knights (13-1). That’s a big jump from the 10 points Bennett averaged as a junior for a 23-9 state quarterfinalist.
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Friday, Bennett had a team-high 15 points, four rebounds and four assists in Christian’s 60-44 Hoodie’s Classic semifinal win over Nazareth Regional (NY). Bennett and the Knights will play Long Island Lutheran in Saturday’s 7:45 p.m. national final at Rocky River High School. And Bennett, who suffered a pretty tough right ankle sprain in an opening round win Thursday, played most of Friday’s game after the nail ripped off his left big toe.
“Seth has definitely worked on his body and his shot has improved every year,” Christian coach Shonn Brown said. “He’s always brought a new dimension to his game when he comes back each year. He’s shooting well now. He’s stronger and getting to basket and he finishes better. He’s just a better all-around player. He doesn’t make very many mistakes. If you leave him open he’ll knock it down.”
Colleges are noticing.
Bennett said he received his first scholarship offer two months ago from Division II Belmont Abbey and has since added three Division I offers from Campbell, High Point and the Citadel. After watching some of his high-profile teammates like J.C. Tharrington (Appalachian State) and Paul Hudson (Dartmouth) become heavily recruited players, Bennett said he was waiting for his recruitment to kick in.
“I was a little anxious,” he said, “but when they finally came in, I was excited.”
Bennett’s father, also named Seth, is senior vice president of marketing, entertainment and social media with the Charlotte Hornets. And it’s not unusual to see Hornets brass at Charlotte Christian games. On Thursday, team president Fred Whitfield sat with the older Bennett and watched the Knights beat South Atlanta (Ga.) 80-65. Before hurting his ankle early in the third quarter, Bennett had 12 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.
“I’m kind of used to it now, because (Hornets staff) comes a lot,” the younger Bennett said, “but there is a little pressure to perform. But I’m happy to be a part of this team. I remember when I came in as a freshman and was just happy to be here and to cheer other people. And now I have a bigger role. I have to rebound more, lead people and be a senior leader.”
Brown said his senior guard is doing a great job in that role.
“He’s a super kid,” Brown said. “Academically, he’s really, really solid and he’s a kid I love to coach. He does whatever I ask him to do. If he hits seven 3s, he’s the same kid on a night when he has 12 points. He gives us everything he has. Whoever gets him (for college) is getting something really good, because he’s not flashy, but he has a high IQ for the game and he knows how to play, which a lot of kids don’t. He may not wow you with immediate athleticism, but with all the other things he can do that are intangible, he’s just special.”
MINT HILL
There’s a high school basketball star at Charlotte Christian who has a baby face, who’s probably underrated among elite in-state recruits. He’s quiet by nature, but he can absolutely shoot the cover off the ball.
Yes, you’ve probably heard that narrative before about a Charlotte Christian star, and we’re not saying that Knights senior Seth Bennett is the next Stephen Curry, but there aren’t too many players in the area enjoying a better start to their season.
Bennett, a 6-foot-2 guard, is the leading scorer for a team that ranks No. 94 on MaxPreps national poll. He averages 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and four assists for the Knights (13-1). That’s a big jump from the 10 points Bennett averaged as a junior for a 23-9 state quarterfinalist.
ADVERTISING
inRead invented by Teads
Friday, Bennett had a team-high 15 points, four rebounds and four assists in Christian’s 60-44 Hoodie’s Classic semifinal win over Nazareth Regional (NY). Bennett and the Knights will play Long Island Lutheran in Saturday’s 7:45 p.m. national final at Rocky River High School. And Bennett, who suffered a pretty tough right ankle sprain in an opening round win Thursday, played most of Friday’s game after the nail ripped off his left big toe.
“Seth has definitely worked on his body and his shot has improved every year,” Christian coach Shonn Brown said. “He’s always brought a new dimension to his game when he comes back each year. He’s shooting well now. He’s stronger and getting to basket and he finishes better. He’s just a better all-around player. He doesn’t make very many mistakes. If you leave him open he’ll knock it down.”
Colleges are noticing.
Bennett said he received his first scholarship offer two months ago from Division II Belmont Abbey and has since added three Division I offers from Campbell, High Point and the Citadel. After watching some of his high-profile teammates like J.C. Tharrington (Appalachian State) and Paul Hudson (Dartmouth) become heavily recruited players, Bennett said he was waiting for his recruitment to kick in.
“I was a little anxious,” he said, “but when they finally came in, I was excited.”
Bennett’s father, also named Seth, is senior vice president of marketing, entertainment and social media with the Charlotte Hornets. And it’s not unusual to see Hornets brass at Charlotte Christian games. On Thursday, team president Fred Whitfield sat with the older Bennett and watched the Knights beat South Atlanta (Ga.) 80-65. Before hurting his ankle early in the third quarter, Bennett had 12 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.
“I’m kind of used to it now, because (Hornets staff) comes a lot,” the younger Bennett said, “but there is a little pressure to perform. But I’m happy to be a part of this team. I remember when I came in as a freshman and was just happy to be here and to cheer other people. And now I have a bigger role. I have to rebound more, lead people and be a senior leader.”
Brown said his senior guard is doing a great job in that role.
“He’s a super kid,” Brown said. “Academically, he’s really, really solid and he’s a kid I love to coach. He does whatever I ask him to do. If he hits seven 3s, he’s the same kid on a night when he has 12 points. He gives us everything he has. Whoever gets him (for college) is getting something really good, because he’s not flashy, but he has a high IQ for the game and he knows how to play, which a lot of kids don’t. He may not wow you with immediate athleticism, but with all the other things he can do that are intangible, he’s just special.”
