Bennington's Presley Baca cherishes team accomplishments, run for state tournament

By Dean Backes

As a member of John O’Connor’s girls varsity basketball program at Bennington, Presley Baca has played in 77 basketball games, creating plenty of memories over the past three-plus seasons.

Baca’s fondest memories don’t include scoring a career high 24 points in Bennington’s 76-18 win over Ralston last January or earning all-conference honors. For the 5-foot-11 senior forward, playing basketball is about competing with her coaches and her teammates.

Even knocking off four-time defending Class B state champion Elkhorn North for the first time in her career received second mention to Bennington’s first game back this season.

“Our first game back as a team my senior year was one of my favorite memories,” Baca recalled without hesitation. “Seeing them putting together all of the pieces was such a cool moment and to finally be on the court our first game coming back after the way our season ended last year was exciting.

“I think we were all antsy and excited to get back on the court with each other. Getting our team back together was definitely one of my favorite memories.”

(Photo By Kailey O'Grady, Kshea Photography)

The unselfish way that O’Connor’s star player looks at the game of basketball pours out onto the basketball court as well.

If her shot isn’t falling, Baca looks for another way to help the team win. Instead of allowing frustration to set in, the Concordia University (Seward, Nebr.) signee looks to make the extra pass, pull down rebounds or simply play rock solid defense.

Baca’s will to win is greater than any individual accomplishments or notoriety.

“Her freshman year she was playing behind a couple of upperclassmen, and she was already showing signs of her athleticism and work ethic,” O’Connor said of when he first realized what kind of player he was getting in Baca. “I remember talking to her about staying ready for your opportunities because those opportunities will be waiting for you.

“She just kept working as a freshman and then as a sophomore she earned that starting role, and it went from there.”

The three-year starter does it all for O’Connor. Besides her 24-point outing, Baca has career highs of 12 rebounds, four assists, six steals and six blocked shots. As a senior, she is averaging 10.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.3 blocked shots through a 71-22 win over Lincoln Standing Bear Jan. 25.

The two-time All Eastern Midlands Conference selectee is shooting 44.2% from the field, 30.3% from the 3-point line and 58.1% from the free throw line for the Badgers, who have outscored their opposition 60.3-35.9 so far this season. For her career, Baca sits at 707 points, 304 rebounds, 48 assists, 93 steals and 76 blocked shots through 16 games.

After suiting up for her final high school basketball game, Baca will join a Bulldog program that is a fixture in postseason play at the NAIA level. Part way through his 19^th season at the Great Plains Athletic Conference school, Bulldog head coach Drew Olson has put together a 482-150 (.763) record.

Under Olson’s guidance, Concordia has won 20 or more games 15 times and reached 30-plus wins six times. The Bulldogs have been to the NAIA National Tournament 16 times, reached the semifinals five times and claimed the champion’s hardware in 2019.

“At the end of my junior year, they started showing interest,” Baca said. “They had me come for my visit and it just seemed like the right fit. All of the girls were super nice and the coach’s interest is what sold me honestly. They never really let me let them slip out of my mind and they always kept up with me in the phone calls and stuff, so yeah it felt like a new home for me.”

(Photo By Kailey O'Grady, Kshea Photography)

With Baca and senior teammates Elizabeth Robinson and Addison Reinoehl listed on the varsity roster, O’Connor’s program has produced a 54-36 record and lost in the district finals in each of its last two seasons.

Following a 15-9 season in which the Badgers dropped a disappointing 55-51 loss to Waverly in the B-6 District Final a year ago, Bennington is off to a 14-3 start this winter with five regular season contests left.

O’Connor, Baca and the Badgers travel to Hastings Saturday before engaging top-ranked Omaha Skutt Catholic in a MaxPreps Top 5 tussle Feb. 4 as they prepare for sub-district play beginning Feb. 24.

“I know its cliché, but it really is our goal to get better every day,” O’Connor said. “We want to be playing better basketball towards the end of the year than we did at the beginning of the year.

“I know the players will tell you we’ve been in a district final the last couple of years, and been real close to getting to state, so that’s something that they definitely have at the top of their list. To be a district champion and get down to state.”

Baca, who also wants to top Bennington’s school record of 61.6 points per game for a season, echoed O’Connor’s sentiments.

“Definitely going to state,” Baca said of one of her final goals as a high school basketball player. “Our goal is the state title. No matter what, we are determined to get there. We have to keep up with all of the hard work, obviously. But definitely going down to state and seeing what it feels like after three years to be down at Pinnacle Bank Arena (PBA).”