Benton Community boys rally for first postseason win since 2018

Bobcats knock off Clear Creek Amana, 62-59, in Class 3A substate quarterfinal

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Benton Community boys basketball team rallied from a 12-point deficit in the third quarter to defeat Clear Creek Amana, 62-59, in a Class 3A substate quarterfinal game on Monday night. This marks the Bobcats' first postseason victory since 2018 and their first winning season since 2018-19.

Why it matters

Benton Community has been struggling to rebuild its boys basketball program, and this win represents a significant milestone in that process. The Bobcats' comeback victory over a conference rival shows the team's progress under new head coach Scott Kiburis, who is working to turn the program around.

The details

Benton Community trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half and 12 in the third quarter, but the Bobcats mounted a 12-0 run to tie the game at 44-44 heading into the fourth quarter. Senior forward Eli Patterson then hit three straight 3-pointers early in the fourth to give Benton the lead, and the team held on for the 62-59 victory.

  • The game was played on Monday, February 23, 2026.
  • Benton Community last won a postseason game in 2018.

The players

Eli Patterson

A senior forward for Benton Community who scored a game-high 23 points, including three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help the Bobcats rally for the win.

Jack Lange

A junior guard for Benton Community who scored 14 points and helped lead the team's comeback effort.

Scott Kiburis

The head coach of the Benton Community boys basketball team, who is in his second season with the program and is working to turn it around.

Brandon Clubb

The head coach of the Clear Creek Amana boys basketball team, whose team led by as many as 12 points before Benton Community's comeback.

Myles Howell

A player for Clear Creek Amana who led his team with 18 points, including four 3-pointers.

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What they’re saying

“I really got no words. Just a great win. We played hard, fought, especially after not starting off too hot. We really fought. Actually happy with our team. Our team played and just kept battling, didn't give up.”

— Eli Patterson, Benton Community senior forward (The Gazette)

“It's been a long time. Man, we've haven't been good for a very long time.”

— Jack Lange, Benton Community junior guard (The Gazette)

“For a lot of our kids, they've never played major minutes in the postseason. That's baptism by fire. Some kids from Benton had been there, and they rose when the challenge got high. They rose up. And our kids, and that's kind of what we talked about, it was like 'Hey, this is our first taste, but you've got to learn from this and grow.'”

— Brandon Clubb, Clear Creek Amana head coach (The Gazette)

What’s next

Benton Community will face a tough challenge in the 3A substate semifinal on Thursday night, as they will be a massive underdog against second-ranked Adel-DeSoto-Minburn.

The takeaway

This victory represents a significant milestone for the Benton Community boys basketball program, which has struggled in recent years. The Bobcats' comeback win over a conference rival shows the progress the team has made under new head coach Scott Kiburis, and it gives the program and its fans hope that the team can continue to build on this success in the future.