Your future, our focus
Seth Bennett is an all-around athlete.
At Meeteetse High School he was a star on the basketball, football and track teams. His focus and determination helped lead him to Northwest College, where he’ll play basketball.
“Since Seth was little he’s loved basketball,” his mother Kandie Bennett said. “He’s been playing since before he was in kindergarten.”
The point guard and former high school quarterback reminisces of his early basketball days, which go back as far as his memory.
“We used to set up hoops in the kitchen and play in there,” he said. “My mom was a volleyball coach so we’d always go into the gym and hang out. I grew up as a gym rat and have been playing since I could remember.”
Bennett, 18, says living in Powell is different, but he likes it.
“It’s bigger than Meeteetse and an adjustment to what I’m used to, but I like it,” he said. “It’s not too big of a city and I like the layout.”
Because he’s a freshman, Bennett will be redshirted this year and doesn’t expect to play in any games. But he plans to continue working hard.
He’s undecided on a major, but is taking a full course load with 18 credit hours.
“I’m leaning toward physical education (major),” he said.
Bennett was a leader in high school, marching his Meeteetse football team to an undefeated season and six-man state title with him at quarterback. He scored more than 1,300 points during his high school basketball career and was a role model for younger kids, including his 11-year old brother Dace.
“Seth was light years ahead of some of the guys,” Meeteetse head basketball coach Ty Myers said. “He was in state rankings since he was a freshman. He got better every year and he’s a leader. He’s not a boisterous leader. He’s quiet. He leads with his actions. He was a huge role model in high school. There were kids in elementary talking about him.”
His attitude is positive and people around him say it rubs off.
“He’s a great, super funny and caring guy,” lifelong friend Jasper Smith said. “He always brings people up and he’s a motivated, hard worker. He’s detail-oriented and I don’t think he’s ever turned in anything late in his life.”
Bennett also likes to hunt, fish, camp, golf, snowboard and ride snowmobiles. His favorite outdoor area near Meeteetse is Wood River and he says he misses a few things about his hometown.
“The community is always there to support you,” he says. “Whether it’s fundraising for sports or coming out to the games, they’re always there to support you.”
Bennett got involved with basketball with his sister Brodie who’s three years older.
“She’s always loved basketball and also played college basketball,” Kandie said. “Since they were little, they were playing basketball together.”
Bennett is a smaller point guard at 5-foot-8, but his speed and explosiveness makes up for his size.
“He’ll adjust,” Myers said. “He’s competitive and has effort. He doesn’t shy away and once he makes an adjustment on speed, he’ll thrive.”
Myers says it came as no surprise when he found out Bennett was going to play college basketball.
“He was always in the gym and we knew from a young age where he wanted to go with his life and what he wanted to do,” Myers added. “I knew he would go somewhere and we’re so proud of him and his effort.”
Bennett says his basketball idol is Lebron James and his favorite holiday is Christmas. His childhood hero is Dusty Tuckness – a professional bullfighter from Meeteetse who took Bennett under his wing when he was young.
He says playing college ball will be a dream come true.
“Ever since I was little, I’ve liked basketball,” he said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play college basketball.
“And now I’m here.”