Other Gopher Sports
Banham, who started as an eighth grader for the Panthers, helped lead the team to a 32-0 mark and a Class AAAA title. She scored 25 points in their 57-47 title win over White Bear Lake, who lost just three games all season, two of Lakeville North. Banham averaged 14.8 points per game as a junior.
GH: What type of expectations do you have for this upcoming season? You lost Cassie Rochel, who is playing at Wisconsin. What are your expectations and how do you replace her?
RB: Our goal is to still go to state and do what we did last year. It is going to be way harder without her presence inside, but we have three good, younger girls coming up and we have Apiew (Ojulu, a 6-foot-2 senior). We just have to make sure that we get the boards like she did. We really have to pick up our defense, because we always had her to back us up and get blocks, but now we don’t, so we really have to move our feet and work on defense.
GH: How about your summer? I know that you played on the North Tartan and you played in the Boo Williams Invitational and made the All-Tournament team. Where else did you play this summer?
RB: We just got back from Nike Nationals (where Banham made the All-Tournament team) last night. We got back at like 12:30 last night. We made it to the top eight. We played really well. We lost to the Tennessee Flight, who won it all. We lost to DFW to advance to the semifinals and they ended up in the championship, too. It was really good teams.
GH: What things have you been trying to work on this summer to get ready for your senior season?
RB: For my team; to be a leader. Personally, just to get better. Work on my shot. Work on attacking and all different aspects.
GH: What was it about Minnesota that made you think this is where I want to play college basketball.
RB: I grew up in Minnesota. I always watched their games when I was younger. Liz Podominick, a girl from Lakeville, went there. I’ve always wanted to represent Minnesota and just go play there. I like the team and the players. I really like the coaches and everything. It’s fun.
GH: Are you working on any of your North Tartan teammates to come with you to Minnesota?
RB: We have one coming to the “œU” with me. I try, but I’m don’t know if everyone wants to. It would be sweet.
GH: Do you do any other sports, like track?
RB: I do track in the spring. It keeps me in shape. It keeps me fast, so I can run up the court fast. Our 4 x 100 team made it to state and we got our school record. We ended up getting fifth in state. It was super close. We did really well this year.
GH: I know that you are hoping to step in quickly at Minnesota. Do they lose some people at your position? Do you have a chance to play right away?
RB: They lost one of their main point guards. They have a couple of point guards, but I hope that I match up with that and come in do something for the team and step in.