Basketball Star Breaks Through at Stonehill College

BY WILL BRADLEY

“Another Three! Jackson is on fire right now, he can’t seem to miss,” “BANG!! Benigni is unstoppable this half!,” Stonehill’s announcers shouted. 

Stonehill College’s Men’s Basketball Team found themselves at the centerpiece of national college sports Friday, January 19. Plastered on the online front page of CBS Sports, and live on national television, the anticipation for Stonehill’s matchup with Farleigh Dickinson University was in full effect.  

Merkert Gymnasium was crowded, hundreds of spectators lined the stands flashy in all white attire in what’s known as a “WHITE-OUT Game”, cheering as loud as could be for their home team Skyhawks. 

  Photo Credit: Erin DeMacedo

As the game started up, #3 Jackson Benigni found himself on the sideline bench, preparing to be called forward from the reserve list of players. Benigni is no stranger to basketball excellence, proving his strength this season with high-scoring games and reaching a pinnacle in high school only hit by a select few players, scoring over 1000 points. 

“BENIGNI”, Coach Kraus called out, swinging his clipbook for him to substitute into the game early in the first half. Benigni strode out at the first opportunity, and with an adrenaline rush, as he started off the game with a swift three, and a drive down the court. 

“Every time he would score, especially with his three-point shots, everyone went crazy, and you could tell that he really loves the game,” said Alyssa Wilcox, a sophomore. 

Closing out the first half, Benigni found himself at the top of his game, with a 19-point run and a close-knit game, Stonehill only down by one point. He rushed out of the locker room to begin the final half of the game leading his fellow teammates alongside. With himself at the core of the team’s motivation, he continued where he left off.  

Benigni went on to score a career-high 27 points, in what would eventually be a loss to FDU. He closed out the game with four three-point baskets, 27 points, and three rebounds in just a mere twenty-eight minutes, solidifying one of the most impressive performances this season.