Canyon Springs HS: Back: D’Angelo Brown, Jordan Davis, Kajuan Casey, Front: Maurice Hunter, Gregory Banks
Friday, Dec. 12, 2014 | 5:30 p.m.
Interview: Freddie Banks, Jordan Davis, Kajuan Casey
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The Canyon Springs High basketball team graduated nearly all of its key contributors from last year’s Sunrise Region championship squad.
Yet, coach Freddie Banks is confident the Pioneers will again be the team to beat. They have won three of the past four Sunrise titles, including the past two.
“They always count us out,” Banks said. “When the time comes down the road, we’ll do what we are supposed to do to bring home the victory.”
Banks, the UNLV legend from the 1987 Final Four team, runs his program’s just like Jerry Tarkanian’s Rebels. They thrive when playing in transition and are always one of the city’s highest scoring teams.
Banks frequently uses a lineup with four guards. And Canyon Springs’ tallest player is just 6 foot 5.
But the lack of size is never a problem, especially in transition when Canyon Springs easily beats the opposition to the other end of the court for easy baskets.
“We want to look ahead. We want to make the extra pass to start the fast break,” said Jordan Davis, Canyon Springs’ senior guard who last month signed with Northern Colorado. “...No other team is as conditioned with that many athletic guys as us.”
Other returners include: Kajuan Casey, D‘Angelo Brown, Greg Banks and Maurice Hunter. They’ll each play multiple positions.
“Coach Banks doesn’t worry about offense. He wants us to play solid defense,” Casey said.
Canyon Springs lost in last season’s state championship game to Bishop Gorman, 71-58. They trailed by more than 30 points entering the fourth quarter and made the score respectable against Gorman’s backups.
“It made me work harder,” Davis said of the loss. “...At the end of the day, when you play against Gorman, you have to come with your best.”
Canyon Springs has a 5-1 record in the initial two weeks of the season, including a 14-point loss Thursday to Centennial. Centennial is ranked No. 2 in the preseason, giving Canyon Springs a good indicator of the improvements it must make.
But it is still December. Banks’ teams are always ready to play in February come the playoffs.
“We try to play the best teams,” Banks said. “Most of the teams call me and ask if we want to play. I don’t run from any team.”
Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21
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