EMERY — Ben Weber plays above the rim for the Bridgewater-Emery Huskies. 

At 6-foot-6, the bouncy forward has delivered countless rim-rattling slam dunks that ignite crowds and energize his teammates.

“It’s wonderful for the fans, wonderful for the bench and gets us going at times where we are a little lax,” Bridgewater-Emery coach Scott Schultz said. “It’s a big boost when things aren’t going well and you happen to get a dunk and it still excites the crowd and all the Class B gyms go crazy.”

Weber has thrown down countless dunks during his high school career, and fittingly, his first varsity points came on a slam against Corsica-Stickney his freshman year. 

“I got a rim grazer down,” Weber said. “So that was pretty exciting for me.”

Weber can’t pinpoint a favorite dunk, but he knows how impactful a jam can be in a game.
“It’s definitely fun,” Weber said. “It usually gets the team riled up. Our energy gets up. So that definitely helps out our team also.”

However, Weber’s arsenal isn’t limited to just slam dunks. He’s developed into a capable perimeter shooter, a reliable defender and rebounder, while also finding teammates. Last season, he averaged 19.3 points, 10 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game during an all-state campaign. 

This season, he’s again averaging a double-double and scored his 1,000th career point earlier this season. 

It’s all part of his evolution from a role player into a primary scoring threat and one of Class B’s top players.
“Freshman year I was kind of a role player,” Weber said. “So I just knew my role. I wasn’t the main scorer. But over the last three years my sophomore through senior year I learned that I might be the No. 1 option, and I have to put the team on my back sometimes and to be a leader.”

Bridgewater-Emery's Ben Weber attacks the rim against White River at the DWU/Culver's Classic on Feb. 14 at the Corn Palace in Mitchell. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

Weber is coming off 28 points, 12 rebounds and four assists in a 56-45 win over White River on Feb. 14 at the DWU/Culver’s Classic. Against the Tigers, Weber set the tone for Bridgewater-Emery with his aggressiveness, attacking the rim and taking advantage of his size. 

The 6-foot-6 frame has been beneficial for Weber and the Huskies against Class B opponents throughout his career. 

“I can definitely tell a difference down in the post,” Weber said. “I don’t get as intimidated as I did in my earlier years. So down in the post I can shoot over most people. So that helps a lot.”

Weber has also served as a secondary ballhandler, oftentimes initiating offense and passes to open when facing double teams. 

“If those guys can find the right spot, I can usually find them because if I get down low and a double team comes sometimes,” Weber said. “So if they’re in the right spot I usually hit them and they knock down some big time shots for us.” 

Weber’s father, Victor, was an all-Cornbelt Conference player for the Emery Eagles and was on the 1994 Class B state runner-up team. Schultz coached both players, and said “His dad was more of like a true low post player. He was kind of a real physical, banger, and strong. He didn’t step out like Ben.” 

Weber has also developed into a leader, with Schultz saying that’s been another integral part of his game. 

“He holds guys accountable on the floor because we hold him accountable,” Schultz said. “When things aren’t going well, to maybe rally us. He’s just another coach type on the floor.” 

Weber is undecided on his future plans, and is considering playing college basketball. In the meantime, the Huskies (11-5) are gearing up for the postseason. Bridgewater-Emery plays at Irene-Wakonda and at Hanson on Feb. 17 and Feb. 19, respectively.