| School: Benson | Graduation Year: 1996 |
Year Inducted: 2019
Sports Played: Basketball
High School Honors: 4 Basketball letters. 1st Team All-PIL, Oregon prep scoring leader, 2nd team All-State as Junior; 1st team All-PIL, All-State and 2nd Team All-Tournament as Senior. Most prolific scorer in Benson Women’s Basketball history.
Post High School Career: University of Portland, 4 NCAA and NIT appearances. Bachelor
of Science in Life Sciences. 2 years Professional Basketball in Portugal. Benson Hall of Fame induction in 2007. Residential counselor, case manager at St. Mary’s Home for Boys, Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare and CODA; Counselor, Assistant Teacher at Rosemary Heights Middle School. Currently Operator in Research & Development at Intel. 4 siblings—Charles, Michael, Kimberly and Allegra—had amazing Basketball careers at Benson. Allegra
also in Benson and PIL Halls of Fame.
Commentary:
Although I was the most prolific scorer in the history of Benson High School, I believe my most gratifying memory of playing on a team in this league was assisting my teammates. Although I didn’t get as many assists as my teammates, it was always the greatest feeling for me to make my teammates feel wonderful and integral parts of the win. I believe that this same sentiment has followed me throughout my life and in my relationships.
I love seeing others win and have accomplishments. If I could do anything to aide a family member, co-worker or friend in reaching their goals, I will do all that I can to assist them. Basketball has helped mold me into a person of morals, ethics and character. I thank my parents for helping me to buy into the way of life of being on a team, knowing my role and fulfilling it to the extent that I did, and doing so with morals. I thank my siblings for showing me that it could be done and modeling the behavior that made star athletes… and letting me tag along to find my own way.
I would also like to share this high honor with my sister Kimberly Green Ellsworth, who recently passed away. Without her dedication of working with me, making sure I gave my all whenever I stepped on the basketball court, and believing in me, I could not have become the best that I could be.
Last, but not least, I would like to thank my teammates for sharing the court with me. I am thankful that we all played our role in making this team successful and for blazing the trail for future teams. I have very fond memories of all of us understanding each others’ rhythms and quirks which made our team memorable and magical. Thank you very much PIL for bestowing this Hall of Fame honor on me.