SLIPPERY ROCK — After her sophomore year, Kelly Benson had played only a smattering of minutes and scored just 35 varsity points as a guard on the Slippery Rock High girls basketball team.

Hardly the burgeoning of a stellar career.

But behind the scenes, in gyms long before and after practice, on courts with nary an eye trained on her, Benson was working.

In junior varsity games, Benson starred.

Slippery Rock girls basketball coach Amber Osborn noticed.

“Each time out she got better,” Osborn said. “She didn't pout about that hand she was dealt. I always had an eye on her.”

Last year, Benson got her shot.

She ran with it.

Benson was a revelation, showing off her dangerous outside shooting ability and her speed and tenacity. By season's end, she was a mainstay in the starting lineup for the Rockets, averaging 9 points per game and making the Butler Eagle Girls Basketball Honor Roll team.

This season has been more of the same for the 5-4 senior guard.

“You never know how someone is going to finish in your program when you see them come in,” Osborn said. “As a coach, you always see their potential. I thought she was patient and she didn't rush the process. It's hard for players today to do that because they want instant fame.”

Benson earned her fame.

And now she has earned a shot at the next level.

Benson signed to play at Saint Vincent College next year, culminating a journey from JV player to key varsity cog.

“I don't really like to talk up myself because there is always someone better, but I'm proud,” Benson said. “It is crazy to think about. Last year, things started working out to my benefit and things started clicking.”

Other coaches noticed, too.

Benson began to get interesting from a slew of college programs.

Benson narrowed it down to Saint Vincent and Grove City College before ultimately choosing the Bearcats and coach Jimmy Petruska, son of longtime Mars girls basketball coach Dana Petruska.

Benson said she just felt like Saint Vincent was the perfect fit for her, on and off the court.

Just playing at the next level is something Benson thought was a bit of a longshot just two years ago.

“It was just a dream a couple of year ago,” Benson said. “It was in my vision, but it wasn't the next step.

“It's one of those things that when you're a kid, you're like, 'Man, college sports, that's a big thing.' Now it's a reality.”

Benson is again averaging nine points per game this season, but she's doing it from all over the court instead of as a 3-point specialist.

“She's been getting a good amount of transition points and she's been creating some for herself, so that's been good, too,” Osborn said. “She'll have to do all of that stuff at the next level.”

The next level has been kind to the Rockets recently.

Senior point guard Anna Kadlubek is headed to play at Indiana (Pa.) University. Senior forward Hallie Raabe is going to Slippery Rock University. Senior Maryann Ackerman will throw the javelin at Oregon State University and now Benson will play basketball at Saint Vincent.

“I don't think there will ever be another group of athletes to come through all at once like this group, and that's not a knock on other groups,” Osborn said. “They are abnormal and I say that a lot because they are freakish. Everyone is athletic who plays basketball, but they are athletic in a way that's weird.”

Benson can't wait to see what she can do at Saint Vincent.

“I'm the kind of person who believes there is no limit on potential,” Benson said. “There's never a limit on anything.”