The Mirror / Benton Smith

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

Smells like football season: Chieftains seeking sweet scent of victory; By Benton Smith; August 31, 2010; The stench of used, sweat-soaked uniforms isn’t the only odor floating around the Tonganoxie High football locker room.
Tonganoxie cross country teams ready to hit trails, compete: By Benton Smith; August 31, 2010; Although they are older and more experienced, as they prepare for the season, returning Tonganoxie High girls cross country runners have shown up in an interesting place — the rear-view mirrors of a few freshmen.
Chieftains enjoy themselves at volleyball opener: By Benton Smith; August 31, 2010; More than happy to get the season started, the Tonganoxie High volleyball team quickly disposed of Atchison Tuesday night.
THS soccer drops physical match: Chieftains lose season debut at Baldwin, 1-0; By Benton Smith; August 30, 2010; In more ways than one, the Tonganoxie High boys soccer team had a tough start to the season Friday at Baldwin.
Cuts policy established for THS sports: By Benton Smith; August 24, 2010; Not every Tonganoxie High coach will put it to use, but if they want to or need to, school policy now allows coaches to cut players from their teams.
Tough week sets tone for Tonganoxie soccer season: By Benton Smith; August 24, 2010; As far as first impressions go, Tonganoxie High boys soccer players won’t soon forget the one new head coach Brian Kroll had on them — they might even have the tire treads by which to remember it.
Going for the kill: Tonganoxie volleyball aims for state; By Benton Smith; August 24, 2010; A motivated group of self-starters, the Tonganoxie High volleyball team has a serious goal for the 2010 season — as in a berth at the state tournament.
There’s a new Loomis in charge: Son replaces father as Chieftains baseball coach; By Benton Smith; August 24, 2010; Next spring, when a Tonganoxie High baseball player addresses “Coach Loomis,” the skipper looking back at him will be roughly 30 years younger.
Schroeder adjusting to new role as MHS AD: Boys basketball coach now McLouth athletics director; By Benton Smith; August 24, 2010; Entering his fifth year as the boys basketball coach at McLouth High, Schroeder recently added another title — athletics director — to his MHS résumé.
Caywood begins juco baseball experience: By Benton Smith; August 17, 2010; It didn’t take Dylan Caywood long to learn that college baseball is a step up from high school.

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Recent photos

Tonganoxie High football seniors (front row) Justin Francis, Lucas Ahart, AJ Gilbert, Jacob Cannon, Dylan Fosdick, (back row) Dylan Scates, Austin Vickers, Shawn Marin, Jeremy Carlisle, Adrian Whittington, Ian McClellan, Tucker Hollingsworth and Jeff Sims remember last year’s four narrow losses and lead the Chieftains as they start their 2010 season at 7 p.m. Friday against Bishop Ward.

Tonganoxie High cross country seniors (front row) Jackie Chenoweth, Daigen Shepley, Tayler Miles, Rachel Collinge, Erika Flores, (middle row) Grae Wilbanks, Alex Hauk, Madison Hunter, Cristina Rubio, Nicole Gersbeck, (back row) Joel Dunning, Brenden Brower-Freeman, Hank Somers, Elliott Brest, Danny Byron and Keith Slater begin their season Thursday with a dual against Lansing.

THS sophomores Hannah Kemp and Jenny Whitledge rise up to try and stop an Atchison attack Tuesday night in the Chieftains' home win.

Sagan Scates makes a play above the net for Tonganoxie in the Chieftains' home win against Atchison Tuesday night.

The Tonganoxie High volleyball team had plenty to smile about in an easy home victory over Atchison Tuesday night. Such was the case when Danielle Miller, Haley Smith, Molly O'Hagan, Hannah Kemp and Kailan Kuzmic came together to celebrate a point in the first game.

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Point of View

Have you been paying attention to the nationwide egg recall?

“Even though I pay attention to news such as this, I am not an alarmist and realize that there are always going to be numerous recalls on various items. We all just need to be informed which is what is taking place with the news coverage.”

— Heather DeMaranville

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