ORANGE, Texas — Half way through his freshman year at LCM, Ben Elliott was moved up to play on the varsity basketball team.
“Everything I’ve done since I was fourth, fifth, in little dribblers to now, every step has got me to where I am today,” Elliott said.
“When I first came freshman year and sophomore year, a lot of the older guys were thicker than me," Elliott said. "I was skinnier, a little bit shorter, some were taller, so coming getting older I realized I probably need to start working out. Get a little thicker so I can compete with 18 year olds when I was 16.”
Elliott might’ve started out small but his skills made a big impact on the court.
“This year he’s taken a step back and he’s a more all-around player," head basketball coach Brad Jeffcoat said. "He rebounds for us, he defends for us, he even had some assists. He was new to passing as the year started but he’s an all-around basketball player now and he’s turned out to be a really good one.”
Coach Jeffcoat has watched Elliott play since he was in elementary school and he says he knew the senior’s skills were something special.
“He’s been with us since fifth, sixth grade, coming up and playing open gyms and select ball stuff and he’s always been one of the best kids in his group in this area, and he’s dedicated to basketball. He loves basketball, works hard, his parents are supportive," Coach Jeffcoat said. "He’s one that you have high expectations for and he’s met them. He’s the same guy all the time. Consistency is a good thing.”
Consistency is part of the reason why Elliott is now LCM’s all-time leading scorer with over 2,000 career points. A title that will help fuel his drive when the Bears shift focus to playoffs
“Heading into playoffs what is your mind set?”
“Oh, kill," Elliott said. Just go out there and compete with every team. We’re gonna work hard every day in practice and we’re gonna go out there and give it all we’ve got.”
When his high school basketball career is finished Elliott says he wants to play college basketball and study to be a coach in the future. Coach Jeffcoat says he's counting the days until he can hire Elliott.