SPORTSINK.COM PHOTO
One of Ohio's top rebounders, Buckeye junior basketball star Jessica Banas is SportsInk.com Athlete of the Week for Jan. 22-28. She is averaging 14.2 rebounds per game.
Buckeye junior basketball standout Jessica Banas is the SportsInk.com Athlete of the Week for Jan. 22-28.
Banas is not only one of the premier rebounding players in Medina County, but she ranks among the best in all of Ohio at 14.2 rebounds per contest. She is averaging 10.7 points and two blocks per game, yet is best known for her ability to corral errant shot attempts.
"She is a beast on the glass -- just a great rebounder," said Buckeye coach Randy Haury.
On Jan. 11 against Black River, Banas collected 16 points and 22 rebounds. Against Brooklyn, she fashioned a 20-20 game with 21 points and 21 rebounds. She had 16 points and 19 boards against Oberlin.
You get the idea.
"That is my game, I love to be physical on the court," she said.
Banas is 6-feet tall and a three-year starter for the Bucks after moving to varsity midway through her freshman year. She became an instant contributor.
"I have loved basketball since elementary school," Banas said. "Dad has really helped me and we sometimes have different opinions on the game which is fun.”
Her father played high school basketball at Strongsville.
An outstanding student, she also is the starting goalkeeper on the school's girls soccer team and hopes to play first base this spring on the softball team.
"She is a terrific leader on and off the court," Haury said. "She is so easy to coach as puts her teammates ahead of herself.”
Banas is shooting 49 percent from the floor and is on the verge of become Buckeye’s all-time leading rebounder.
"We try to get her to shoot more but she loves making her teammates better," Haury said.
Banas has two siblings in Josh and Jackie.
Jessica Banas
Buckeye
Basketball/Soccer
Junior
GPA: 4.3
TV: Pretty Little Liars
Movie: The Haunting
Pizza: Pineapple and ham
Home Cooking: Mom's soup
IPod: Escape the Faith
Class: Math
Bucket List: Travel to Egypt