• Sign Up
    • Yearly by Check
    • Monthly Recurring
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Account
  • Log In
The Hendersonian
  • Home
  • News
    • All
    • Agriculture
    • Business
    • Local
    • Police
    • Politics
    • Schools
    • Science
    • Sports
    • State
    • World
    Thomason’s plans growth and with it, a broader distribution of its famous baked beans

    Thomason’s plans growth and with it, a broader distribution of its famous baked beans

    BRIEFS: HCPL hosts Veterans Resource Fair; City High class of ’75 reunion; HPD wants help finding car thieves

    WEHT/WTVW employees rally for their union

    WEHT/WTVW employees rally for their union

    Good News: Habitat breaks ground on another build; future owner ‘overwhelmed with joy’

    Good News: Habitat breaks ground on another build; future owner ‘overwhelmed with joy’

    Pittsburg uses new construction process to build a new type of water storage tank

    Pittsburg uses new construction process to build a new type of water storage tank

    Pitching ace Kemp uses bat to send Lady Cols to state again

    Pitching ace Kemp uses bat to send Lady Cols to state again

    Trending Tags

  • Tech
    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

    In some parts of the U.S., the grid of the future might be closer than you think

    Trending Tags

  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Sports

    Henderson joins West Kentucky Film Commission with hopes of luring movie makers here

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    Executive director says this year’s arts alliance lineup gives people what they want

    Executive director says this year’s arts alliance lineup gives people what they want

    2000 baseball Cols remember fondly state championship season a quarter century later

    2000 baseball Cols remember fondly state championship season a quarter century later

    Summer Sunset Series, SummerFest ratchet up Henderson festival season this week

    Summer Sunset Series, SummerFest ratchet up Henderson festival season this week

    May the summer blockbuster season begin!

    May the summer blockbuster season begin!

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel
    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    No Kentucky Home, Part 4: A missing bench comes to symbolize missing solutions to homelessness

    No Kentucky Home, Part 3: A church called its vision for housing a ‘Beacon of Hope.’ The mayor had concerns.

    No Kentucky Home, Part 2: After living outdoors for weeks, she got a place to sleep, a shower — and a job

    HCHS grad Tyler Brocato currently competing in a national chef competition

    HCHS grad Tyler Brocato currently competing in a national chef competition

    Flying through ATL this travel season? Lucky you

    Flying through ATL this travel season? Lucky you

    Trending Tags

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • All
    • Agriculture
    • Business
    • Local
    • Police
    • Politics
    • Schools
    • Science
    • Sports
    • State
    • World
    Thomason’s plans growth and with it, a broader distribution of its famous baked beans

    Thomason’s plans growth and with it, a broader distribution of its famous baked beans

    BRIEFS: HCPL hosts Veterans Resource Fair; City High class of ’75 reunion; HPD wants help finding car thieves

    WEHT/WTVW employees rally for their union

    WEHT/WTVW employees rally for their union

    Good News: Habitat breaks ground on another build; future owner ‘overwhelmed with joy’

    Good News: Habitat breaks ground on another build; future owner ‘overwhelmed with joy’

    Pittsburg uses new construction process to build a new type of water storage tank

    Pittsburg uses new construction process to build a new type of water storage tank

    Pitching ace Kemp uses bat to send Lady Cols to state again

    Pitching ace Kemp uses bat to send Lady Cols to state again

    Trending Tags

  • Tech
    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

    In some parts of the U.S., the grid of the future might be closer than you think

    Trending Tags

  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Sports

    Henderson joins West Kentucky Film Commission with hopes of luring movie makers here

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    Executive director says this year’s arts alliance lineup gives people what they want

    Executive director says this year’s arts alliance lineup gives people what they want

    2000 baseball Cols remember fondly state championship season a quarter century later

    2000 baseball Cols remember fondly state championship season a quarter century later

    Summer Sunset Series, SummerFest ratchet up Henderson festival season this week

    Summer Sunset Series, SummerFest ratchet up Henderson festival season this week

    May the summer blockbuster season begin!

    May the summer blockbuster season begin!

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel
    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    No Kentucky Home, Part 4: A missing bench comes to symbolize missing solutions to homelessness

    No Kentucky Home, Part 3: A church called its vision for housing a ‘Beacon of Hope.’ The mayor had concerns.

    No Kentucky Home, Part 2: After living outdoors for weeks, she got a place to sleep, a shower — and a job

    HCHS grad Tyler Brocato currently competing in a national chef competition

    HCHS grad Tyler Brocato currently competing in a national chef competition

    Flying through ATL this travel season? Lucky you

    Flying through ATL this travel season? Lucky you

    Trending Tags

No Result
View All Result
The Hendersonian
No Result
View All Result
Home Entertainment Sports

Local referee Benson officiates boys basketball state championship

Vince Tweddell by Vince Tweddell
April 5, 2025
in Sports
0
Local referee Benson officiates boys basketball state championship

David Benson called four games in this year's boys Sweet 16, including the state championship game, serving as the lead official, or referee, in the matchup between Great Crossing and Bowling Green. Here's a shot of Benson before one of his games. (Image from Dan Thompson's Facebook page)

0
SHARES
667
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Although the Henderson County High School boys basketball team didn’t make it to the state championship, the local hoops community was still represented in March 29’s game at Rupp Arena in Lexington.

David Benson, a basketball official who lives in Henderson, called the state championship game in which Great Crossing defeated Bowling Green.

Benson said the Kentucky High School Athletic Association picked him and two others and an alternate to officiate the game. Benson was chosen as the referee, which is the lead official in the game and the one who tosses up the opening tip-off.

Benson said he and his partners were chosen from 3,000 other officials across the state.

“That says a lot,” he said.

Was it a thrill? “Oh yeah,” said Benson. “Whoever throws it up is the main man. I got to throw it up.”

“There’s not an official in the state who wouldn’t have wanted to be in that position Saturday night,” he added.

Benson, who works for the local Vocational Rehabilitation Services, said he began refereeing basketball games 33 years ago. He started out officiating local ABA games back in 1991-92, he said. After that, he began working junior varsity games and then worked his way up to varsity.

He refs both boys and girls varsity basketball games now in Region 2. He’s also been a high school softball umpire for 25 years.

It’s not always an easy gig, he said.

“You got to have tough skin,” Benson said. “I’m going to get talked about, going to get booed, but you got to have that tough skin.”

Benson said during games there’s not going to be anyone in the gym who’s on the officials’ side—one side is for their team, the other side is for their team. But there’s no one on the refs’ side—except the other officials.

That’s led to strong bonds with the officials he’s worked with, one of the best parts of his officiating career, Benson said, adding he has befriended so many across the region and state because of his work on the hardwood.

“It brings about a lot of friendships,” he said.

That’s needed, he said, because officiating is more difficult now than it was in the past. For one, the all-around competition is more equal at all levels. Two, parents tend to hold stronger opinions about their son’s or daughter’s ability now than in the past. That can lend itself to tense situations in gyms around the region.

Benson said he takes his officiating work seriously. He said he’s had some bad games and he’s missed calls—every official has. But you can’t dwell on it, he said.

“You learn from it and move on,” he said. Otherwise “it’ll eat you up.”

“At the end of the day, I got to get on to the next game,” he said.

Benson said his mindset about the games he officiates is not the same as a fan’s because he’s not there to watch or get caught up in a great game—he’s there to call the game.

“Every game deserves the official’s best,” he said.

He holds a similar mindset about the players who’ve played in the games he has called. He said some coaches point out to him they’ve got a Division I player on their team. His response is that he’s refereeing the game—“I don’t watch the player.”

That’s much the same reason he couldn’t name the best player he’s seen while he’s been an official. Although, he did say that there has been a lot of talent that has come through the 2nd Region since he’s been a referee.

The 65-year-old Benson said he’s not sure how much longer he’ll continue to officiate, though he’s not ready to hang up the whistle yet. He’ll know when it’s time, he said.

Like players, he gets nervous before games and has his own ritual to keep himself calm and ready. He tells himself to, “Focus. Trust yourself. Trust in the ability the Lord has given you. Trust in the ability of those you work with.”

“Quality calls, strong mechanics and a patient whistle will get you a long way,” he said.

That’s true—they got Benson all the way to the state championship.

Previous Post

Day’s soft re-opening

Next Post

Spring wildflowers will be focus at Audubon’s Wildflower Extravaganza Saturday

Vince Tweddell

Vince Tweddell

Vince Tweddell is the founder, publisher and editor of the Hendersonian.

Next Post

Spring wildflowers will be focus at Audubon's Wildflower Extravaganza Saturday

Recent News

Thomason’s plans growth and with it, a broader distribution of its famous baked beans

Thomason’s plans growth and with it, a broader distribution of its famous baked beans

May 31, 2025

BRIEFS: HCPL hosts Veterans Resource Fair; City High class of ’75 reunion; HPD wants help finding car thieves

May 31, 2025
WEHT/WTVW employees rally for their union

WEHT/WTVW employees rally for their union

May 31, 2025
Good News: Habitat breaks ground on another build; future owner ‘overwhelmed with joy’

Good News: Habitat breaks ground on another build; future owner ‘overwhelmed with joy’

May 31, 2025
  • Sign Up
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Account
  • Log In

© 2025 The Hendersonian • Henderson, KY 42420

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Sign Up
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Login

© 2025 The Hendersonian • Henderson, KY 42420