Benton Smith Sports writer
Benton Smith covers sports and news for The Mirror. Although he hails from the state of North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina, he assures you that neither that place nor the men's basketball team at said university have much or anything to do with him. Benton was a sports writer for the Lawrence Journal-World before coming to Tonganoxie. He is an avid basketball fan and football devotee but finds himself of late enjoying baseball more than he ever thought possible — he is 99 percent certain that is because the Kansas City Royals are actually competitive. Since joining The Mirror staff in February of 2008, Benton has learned that all high school sports, their athletes and coaches are pretty much a blast to cover.
Recent stories
- Area schools explore best safeguards for concussed athletes
- July 18, 2012
- The words themselves are jarring: traumatic brain injury.
- Smith: Bidding Tonganoxie Farewell
- November 8, 2011
- Back in February of 2008, I got my first assignment as sports editor at The Mirror. It was covering the Tonganoxie High wrestling team at a regional tournament in Perry. The Chieftains had a pretty eventful weekend, qualifying Matt Brock, Cameron Adcox, Travis Adcox, Kevin Hamm, Wyatt Coffin and Steve Davis for state.
- Tonganoxie soccer wins playoff opener, 3-0
- 08:13 p.m., October 25, 2011 Updated 10:00 a.m.
- The Chieftains beat De Soto, 3-0, at home in the first round of the Class 4-1A Northeast Regional 3 playoffs.
- Chieftains battle, but fall to De Soto in semifinal
- October 25, 2011
- They might have come up short of making it to a sub-state final, but Tonganoxie High’s volleyball players and coaches didn’t consider Saturday’s semifinal loss to De Soto a failure.
- Chieftains ‘whooped’ by Perry-Lecompton
- October 18, 2011
- After seeing his team get blown out in the final home game of the season Friday, Tonganoxie High interim football coach Matt Bond knew exactly what led to the Chieftains’ sixth straight loss.
- THS volleyball could face reigning state champs
- October 18, 2011
- Unless he has psychic powers, Tonganoxie High volleyball co-coach Brandon Parker must have the Thunder on his mind.
- Tonganoxie soccer players looking forward to playoffs
- October 18, 2011
- With just one match left in the regular season, Tonganoxie High’s boys soccer players are excited about the coming playoffs and what could lie ahead.
- Defense key in 29-point McLouth win
- October 18, 2011
- It wasn’t easy — at least in the first half — but the McLouth High football team moved one step closer to the playoffs Friday.
- Stepping up: Replacements help THS finish 2nd at KVL
- October 18, 2011
- In a situation that easily could have deterred their performance Thursday at the Kaw Valley League Meet, Tonganoxie High’s boys cross country runners turned a negative into a positive.
- Chieftains blown out by Kaws in district opener
- October 14, 2011
- Perry-Lecompton looked the part of a squad that wasn’t used to losing, and kept Tonganoxie on its skid with a 54-7 road rout.
Recent photos
Tonganoxie High soccer players run off the field after winning a home playoff match, 3-0, against De Soto.
Chieftains senior defensive captain Marcus Titterington heads the ball away on a De Soto corner kick Tuesday at THS. Tonganoxie defeated the Wildcats, 3-0, in a first-round regional playoff match.
Tonganoxie senior captain Matt Briggs races De Soto's John Williams to the ball on Tuesday. The Chieftains beat DHS, 3-0, in a first-round playoff match.
THS senior Joseph Parrino runs back toward midfield after scoring a first-half goal in Tonganoxie's 3-0 home playoff win over De Soto on Tuesday.
Tonganoxie High junior John Lean runs to congratulate teammate Matt Saathoff after Saathoff scored the Chieftains' first goal of a 3-0 home playoff win over De Soto on Tuesday.
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Point of View
What’s the best way to spend a snow day?
Shovel your driveway and paths, check neighbors’ driveways and then grab all your closest little ones and find the biggest sledding hill. Snowmen also are a must. Snow days are a great time to catch up on missed shows and much-needed rest. I love snowdays, they haven’t changed one bit even as an adult, although I am sure not all working adults can say that, but I am happy I can. I was excited to see the snowmen and other snow sculptures throughout the Lawrence and Kansas City metro areas.
