Kaitlyn Benedict breaks 28 year old school record

From the tipoff of the Lynbrook Owls girls varsity first playoff game against the Bulldogs of Island Trees High School, Kaitlyn Benedict, junior and guard, was on fire. 

Benedict entered the season making eight three-pointers in a single game, which was a new record for the school. The former record was set in 1996. As a sophomore, Benedict had tied the record for seven three-pointers in a game, which was only done once before in the 2005 to 2006 season. At the March 13 board of education meeting, Benedict was recognized by trustees and administrators for her achievement.

“It was our playoff game and I said to myself ‘I need to win this, but we need to keep an overall happy vibe, and not get too serious,’” Benedict said.

Going into her performance, Benedict was locked in mentally. She got into her pregame routine of putting her hair in a low ponytail and immediately started putting up points for the team. She opened up the game, draining a shot from behind the arc to put three points on the board.

Benedict noted that the energy in the arena was sky-high with fans and athletes packed in the stands.

“During sophomore year, I tied the record. It was my goal to accomplish it,” Benedict said. “And I exceeded that. My teammates were excited for me. I felt an energy I never felt from them before and they were just so happy for me after the game.”

Benedict’s onslaught from behind the three-point line helped space the floor and open up scoring opportunities for her teammates. With Benedict draining four consecutive three pointers in the first quarter, Island Trees’ defense was left scrambling to stop her. This opened up scoring opportunities in transition and in the post for the Owls.

Koren Pena, Owls Coach, explained that this was exactly what the team prepared for.

“Most practices, the goal is to run fast and hard and game tempo and game speed,” Pena said. “Our philosophy is ‘practice how you play.’”

“Going into the game, I felt we were the better team,” Pena continued. “I went to an Island Trees game to prepare. We scouted them and had a game plan against them. Their zone defense was perfect for a shooter like Kaitlyn.”

Teammates Mackenzie Casey and Cate Jennings took advantage of the scoring opportunities opened up by Benedict’s performance. By the fourth quarter, Benedict was on pace for the record. With just three minutes and thirty seconds left in the game, Benedict needed two more threes to capture the elusive three point record.

“There was only three minutes left,” Benedict said. “I needed two threes and I started chucking shots, but I took my time getting back into my rhythm and eventually I got it together.”

Pena said at the three minute mark, the entire crowd erupted as Benedict hit her eighth three pointer of the game, breaking the Lynbrook record.

“After the game, I almost started crying,” Benedict said. “I was overwhelmed with happiness.”

Benedict said to “keep working for it” when asked what advice she’d give to other athletes who also want to break records. She continued, “Keep shooting and it will come to you eventually.”

“I got to see the record get tied in the 2000s and I knew Kaitlyn would break it before she graduates,” Pena said. “She’s an incredible shooter and I’m glad I get to have her next year.”

Benedict noted that she will continue to play on the Owls next year and she has aspirations of becoming a coach in the future.