Comeback kid: Benedict steps onto court in district’s final moments | News

The 14-year-old tore his anterior cruciate ligament while playing football last summer and had to sit on the bench all season while his teammates overwhelmed their opponents.

That’s until the district championship game against the Paris Wildcats.

The North Lamar Panthers Grade 8 A-Team led the game 60-38 on home court advantage, when longtime coach Chad Chalupa called a timeout during a foul shot in the final minute of the game, giving Benedict the lead. It gave you one moment of playing time for the season.

Fans in attendance cheered after Benedict was substituted for the match, according to a press release.

Chalupa, who has yet to get clearance from doctors, said his knee is strong enough to play briefly.

“He stayed with us all school year, but at the end of[the season]he was healthy enough to play just right,” his coach said. He’s a really good player, and I thought it would be cool to see him on the court once during the season.

Benedict made the most of it.

According to a press release, Paris missed a foul shot and North Lamar picked up the rebound with 40 seconds remaining.

Benedict was on the other side of the court when the ball was passed, setting up to sink a corner three-pointer and getting the gym roaring again.

According to a press release, both teams and everyone in attendance left their seats, jumping and high-fiving in the stands and on the court, crying tears of joy.

Benedict played a few more seconds before being ejected from the match to avoid further straining his healing ligaments.

“I almost cried after not playing for so long. It was a great experience to be there at the last minute,” Benedict explained. “I never knew. It was like a surprise.”

The game ended with a score of 65-38, and the Panthers were district champions for the second year in a row.

Benedict was released by doctors on Thursday and said he plans to return to the court and football field next season.