La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

There was no question Justine Benson was one of the best players at the 2B Girls Hardwood Classic in Spokane last month.

Nor was there any doubt in the minds of Associated Press sportswriters that the La Conner High standout was among the top hoop talents statewide through the entire 2019-20 season.

The AP writers recently named the 5’-8” senior guard-forward to the first unit 2B Girls’ All-State Basketball Team.

It is the latest in a slew of awards garnered by Benson, the all-time Lady Braves’ leading scorer with 1,580 career points.

Benson is joined on the All-State first squad by Kyra Gardner of Raymond, Erika Glenn of Ilwaco, Toledo’s Kal Schaplow and Player of the Year Maisie Burnham of state champion Liberty Spangle.

La Conner High head coach Scott Novak wasn’t surprised at Benson being tabbed for All-State recognition.

“She has been such a great fit for our program,” Novak said of Benson, who led La Conner to a 23-3 mark and second place Hardwood Classic finish, the best in program history.

“Justine runs the court real well and can drive to the basket plus shoot from the outside,” Novak told the Weekly News. “She’s great both in transition and in a half-court offense, and being left-handed has helped, too.”

Benson tallied 18 points in a shootout with Burnham and the Lady Lancers in the 2020 Hardwood Classic title clash at the Spokane Arena.

Liberty prevailed 52-45 in what was La Conner’s first-ever state championship round appearance.

Burnham, an Eastern Washington University commit, led all scorers in that game with 22 points on nine-of-20 shooting from the floor, including a perimeter trey.

The versatile Benson has also drawn interest from the college ranks and on Monday opted to sign with Bellevue College to play volleyball. She was an All-State setter for the state champion Lady Braves net team last fall.

Novak lauded Benson for not only stepping up her hoops game while at La Conner, but also having the same effect on her teammates.

“Justine had an impact for us from the get-go,” said Novak, “but the important thing is not only did she improve every year but the team got better, too.”

Benson averaged 16.7 points per game as a junior as the Lady Braves went 21-5 and finished fifth at the 2019 Hardwood Classic. She was an honorable mention All-State pick that season.

She matched that scoring output as a senior, blending quick slashes to the iron with soft perimeter treys. Benson also increased her assists and steals totals despite having her playing time trimmed during the many games La Conner won by wide margins and Novak emptied his bench.

At Spokane, Benson was selected to the All-Tournament first five. She was later chosen the Skagit Valley Herald Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year.

“She was an outstanding player and a great teammate,” Novak stressed. “It was an honor to have coached her.”