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.

Full story list

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.

Full photo list