Banks Pushing For Top Five Status in 2020
Eau Claire North wasn’t necessarily expected to be a top contender in the Big Rivers Conference this season. While the Huskies did lose quite a bit from last season’s 21-4 squad, they did return junior point guard Dalton Banks, which…
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Continue ReadingEau Claire North wasn’t necessarily expected to be a top contender in the Big Rivers Conference this season. While the Huskies did lose quite a bit from last season’s 21-4 squad, they did return junior point guard Dalton Banks, which has proven to be more than enough to stay in the hunt.
“Individually, I feel that I’ve taken a huge step forward as far as my jump shot and being able to score in different ways,” Banks told Prep Hoops Wisconsin. “I feel like my playmaking and my overall game has taken a huge jump.
“As a team, I think we’ve kind of turned some heads. I know a lot of people picked us to finish low in the conference and here we are halfway through and we’re tied for first. I think we’re definitely surprising some people.
“Hopefully in March, we’re playing our best basketball.”
Banks is averaging 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game this season as North is currently 8-3 overall and tied atop the conference with a 4-2 record.
Sitting ninth in the Prep Hoops Wisconsin class of 2020 rankings, Banks could be poised to land as high as No. 5 by the end of the season.
“I don’t tend to worry about that too much,” he said. “I think my hard work will take care of itself. But so far, I definitely think I’ve made a claim to be a top five player in the state.
“But that doesn’t mean too much to me. I want to get down to the Kohl Center and play for a state championship in March.”
Banks holds three scholarship offers from South Dakota, UW-Green Bay, and UW-Milwaukee.
Green Bay: “I think they’ve got some good things going for them. They play fast, like to play in transition. I think that would go with my game well. I’d like to get back down there pretty soon. I like their coaching staff and it’s a nice environment.”
Milwaukee: “Coach Pat Baldwin has definitely made me a priority. He sends me a text every other day and is making me feel like he wants me pretty bad. They like to get out in transition and play hard-nosed defense. I think it would be a pretty good fit.”
South Dakota: “Definitely very high on my list. I have a very strong relationship with all of the coaches. I’ve been up there twice and they have really nice facilities. They were my first offer and they’re definitely up there.”
Valparaiso, North Dakota State, Ball State, Rice, Drake, Denver, and North Dakota are all expressing interest in Banks this season. A couple of those programs could be ready to join the fold this spring.
“North Dakota State was at my game (Friday) and told me they were super impressed,” Banks explained. “They invited me to come up to a game.
“I’ve been talking to Ball State, Denver, and Valpo quite a bit as well.”
Banks hasn’t visited any programs this season and has nothing set for the future as he remains focused on his squad.
The 6-foot-2 floor general doesn’t have a definitive timetable for a decision, but likely won’t be in a rush.
“I haven’t thought about it a lot,” he said. “I think I would like to play out my last AAU season before making a decision, but if I feel there’s a right fit, I could pull the trigger before the AAU season starts.
“Probably, it’s going to come in that period after AAU and before my senior season.”
Banks plays with D1 Minnesota during the travel season.