Eric Newman Sunsports Editor
Coconino High School junior Jazmyn Benn represented the Panthers women’s basketball team and the entire city of Flagstaff on the international stage earlier this month.
Ben joined a group of players from across the country as Team USA at the NunaWading Specters tournament in Melbourne, Australia. Team USA went undefeated against youth teams from all over the world and won the championship on June 12th.
Ben said the overall experience was an honor, as well as his success in a competition with talented players.
“Everything is different, almost the other way around. Basketball is the same game, but with different rules,” she said. “That was very fun.”
In addition to the six-game tournament over three days, the American players took the time to experience the continent. The girls enjoyed getting to know each other off the court by surfing, kayaking and petting kangaroos at the zoo.
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As much as playing well and winning for Ben, the ability to successfully navigate his first round-the-world trip was equally valuable. Ben has competed in several chess competitions around Arizona and has also participated in a national chess tournament in Tennessee. All these experiences have given her her confidence to travel to competitions. But she had never taken on such a big task.
In the spring Ben received a call asking if he would be interested in playing, and so the journey began. Her family raised approximately $2,000 through jewelry sales and donations to help cover some of her travel expenses.
Ben’s mother, Danielle Phillips, was proud of the adventure.
“I always told her that if she wanted to do something, I would support her, which is also really great,” Phillips said.
Panthers coach Kathy Schrader echoed that sentiment, saying it motivates the rest of Coconino to strive to reach their goals.
“It’s great. It just shows the commitment to the sport. Coming from little old Flagstaff, it takes a long time to want to do something like that internationally,” Schrader said. .
She added: “It takes a little bit of pushing and pushing to really understand that they can do whatever they want. .”
Ben hopes it will be a breakthrough year for Coconino. She joined the lineup for the 2022-23 season, but expects her to take on a more prominent role this winter.
“I know she loves basketball and I’ve loved her since I was a kid,” Schrader said. “We went through a little bit of growing pains, which is to be expected of any young girl, but I think she knows what’s expected of her and I’m sure she’ll break through.” I think you can.”
Coconino will begin the regular season with a home game against Greenway on November 27.
