Jones plays key role for Benton
Martin Couch Sports editor

PHIL HOBBY PHOTO C. JONES Benton Lady Panther Catilin Jones comes off the bench for the team.

Caitlin Jones is committed to do her best for the Benton Lady Panthers this season.

As a role player off the bench, the junior post relieves senior Brittany Westerman and junior Mattison Chilton when needed. Jones' presence on the court results more times than not in points and key rebounds, which has gotten the Lady Panthers on the winning track.

"I come in off the bench for Mattison or Brittany to work inside and be a strong force in there," Jones said. "I think this year we did some good things and I think we should do pretty good this year in the conference. We've got a new coach and a new outlook. It's a good change."

Although Jones has been playing basketball for most of her life, last year she sat out the season with a sprained MCL.

"I like the physical part of the game, but it's not only physical; it's mental, too," she said. "The underdog doesn't always have to lose. We have a chance to change the little things and that's good to know."

Jones came off the bench to help the Lady Panthers get their first win of the season in the Conway Wampus Cat Invitational tournament last week against Springdale.

"It was a good first win," she said. "We had a good tempo to start the game and I think getting that first win out of the way and knowing we didn't play just terrific will give us momentum in that knowing we did the little things right and didn't give up. We can do so many things and we're not intimidated."

Jones likes the role of starting the game in reserve.

"I like my role of coming in off the bench," she said. "It lets me see how the games are going and see how the other team is playing. People in town know who we are and there's a high standard and quality of basketball that we play and we all try our best."