By Robert Wilson
After losing her leading scorers – All-American guard Madison Booker and All-Metro Jackson center Alana Rouser – in each of the last two seasons, Germantown coach Jamie Glasgow needed some players to step up into a scoring role.
Junior guard Ayla Benson has filled it nicely, especially last week.
The 5-foot-8 Benson had her best week of the season, averaging 18.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.3 steals to lead Germantown to three victories last week.
For her outstanding performances last week, Benson has been named the Junction Deli/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Girls Basketball Player of the Week.
After leading Germantown to its first state championship two years ago, Booker signed with Texas and was the Big 12 Player of the Year and an All-American as a freshman last season. Rouser led the Lady Mavs to a MHSAA Class 7A runner-up finish last season and is a freshman at Florida Atlantic.
Benson averaged 6 points two years ago as a freshman and 5.9 points last year as a sophomore, but she has stepped up her game this season. And last week, Benson took it to a new level.
She had a career-high 22 points (four 3-pointers), 5 steals, 4 rebounds and 1 assist in a 45-44 victory Mendenhall Saturday. Benson had 20 points (four 3-pointers), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot in a 41-40 victory over Callaway Friday. She had 13 points (two 3-pointers), 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 blocked shots in a 61-54 victory over Ridgeland.
Benson shot 47.6 percent from the field (20 of 42) and 35.7 percent from 3-point range (10 of 28).
Benson is averaging a team-high 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.3 assists for 8-5 Germantown coming into this week. She is tied for ninth in Mississippi with 29 3-pointers coming into this week.
“Ayla has really stepped it up a notch since the Thanksgiving break,” Germantown coach Jamie Glasglow said. “She was struggling with her shot at the beginning of the season. Her shot selection has improved therefore her shooting has improved. Once Ayla sees one go in the basket, she usually gets going on the offensive end. Her role on the floor is a lot bigger than it was last year and she met the challenge last week. Ayla also played well on the defensive end of the floor. She had several steals and rebounds. I am really proud of the way she played. That is how I expect Ayla to perform night in and night out.”
Benson is the daughter of Rob and Angel Benson. Rob is the head of the Sisterhood AAU organization. Benson’s sister is Addison, an eighth grader, and brother is Robert, a first grader, in the Germantown schools.
Mississippi Scoreboard selects a girls basketball player from Hinds, Madison, or Rankin counties each week. Coaches can nominate a player by text or call to Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276.
WEEK ONE: Shamira Morton, Canton
