Benton Central focused on making 2012 season a special one

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - It's safe to say that the Benton Central girls basketball team has a sour taste in its mouth after the way last season ended. The Bison are determined to bounce back this season.

After a great regular season, the Bison were bounced in their first game of sectionals against Twin Lakes. A team that the Lady Bison beat by 17 points in the regular season. In the State Tournament, one bad game is all it takes to end your season. For Caitlyn Tolen and the Lady Bison, their goal this year is to make sure that doesn't happen again.

"We definitely have to go out every game like it's our last. You never can underestimate opponents because anyone can beat you on any given night. We just have to go out and play our game each game," said senior guard Caitlyn Tolen.

"It was a heartbreaker, Twin Lakes showed up that game and we didn't. They were a better team and we just have to learn from that and bring that to practice every day as motivation for us to get better and hopefully go farther this year," said senior guard Cassidy Deno.

"We always get on the younger girls and even each other for taking a play off because in sectionals last year if you take one play off, one play can take the game away from you and we are just trying to keep the intensity up every game and stay focused," said senior guard/forward Courtney Lester.

David Baxter is entering his third season as the Bison Head Coach. In two season's he has racked up 40 wins and a state finals appearance. With 3 returning starters, expectations remain the same inside Arena Gym.

"They have high expectations this year and we take it one game at a time. We have a high ceiling but at the same time last year has taught us that you are zero and zero in the post season and anything can happen. They will be focused and ready to go this year," said Benton Central head coach David Baxter.

The Bison will rely on senior guard Caitlyn Tolen. As a junior, Tolen averaged 21 points per game. This year she will have to do more then just score the basketball. Number 12 is up to the challenge.

"I try to do whatever my team needs me to do. Whether that be assist, scoring, rebounding, whatever the team needs. We have to go out ready every game because it's one step closer to being my last. We have to play with that much more intensity," said Tolen.

The Lady Bison will begin their season on Friday night as they travel to Seeger to take on the Patriots.