Banks keys North boys basketball win
By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
In his first year as the West Windsor-Plainsboro High North boys basketball coach, Tim Stevens is happy to have a senior like Darrien Banks to help ease the transition.
”Darrien is one of those guys that goes out in his easy going way and puts out a consistent effort every night,” Stevens said. “You know he will get eight to 12 points and a bunch of rebounds. He is doing a little bit of everything. He is a guy I can count on.
”He can score from the outside. He can beat guys off the dribble. He does a little bit of everything.”
Banks had 15 points and made some key shots to help the Knights snap a seven-game losing streak with a 54-49 win over Steinert on Tuesday. After several frustrating close losses, getting a win was a big lift for Banks and his teammates.
”It has been roller coaster with some ups and downs,” said Banks, a three-year varsity performer for the Knights. “We are just trying to play hard and do our best and see what happens. We have a new coach this year and he is a great coach. Even though this is his first year, I feel like I have known him all four years of high school.”
While the Knights have struggled at 5-13, the record is a bit deceiving. Of their 13 losses, four have come by less than six points.
”We have been competing in every game, we just don’t seem to put it together for all four quarters,” Stevens said. “We have been in every game except one or two. We finally came out and finished strong and came out ahead. Half of the losses we have had this year we had the lead at some point in the fourth quarter. It has been a roller coaster but some of that comes from inexperience.”
Banks and Kyle Newman have the most varsity experience for the Knights this year. Juwan Harrison is healthy this year and has been the team’s leading scorer as a junior, splitting point guard duties with Nigel Jordan. The Knights honored their three seniors — Banks, Newman and Brian Wang — before the game against Steinert.
”We are seeing a lot of progress with the guys,” Stevens said. “We need to get a better understanding of situations and playing with the lead and little things they may not have picked up yet. We’ll try to fine-tune some things over the summer.
”I feel like Nigel Jordan has stepped up. We knew he was a talented player. He fights to stay on the court all the time. It is rare for me to take him out. He reads the floor and gives it everything he has. He and Juwan kind of split the point guard duties. And Nigel hassles guards defensively.”
While some of the younger players give the Knights some hope if future success, seniors like Banks would like to end the season on a positive note. Now in his third year as a varsity player, he has taken his role as a captain very seriously.
”Before I was young and inexperienced, but I have gained more experience and know how to play better,” Banks said. “Skill-wise I feel like I am so much better. And now I have more of a leadership role as a senior captain that has to step up and make sure guys are ready to play.
”For the young people coming up we have to make sure they know how to be leaders because they’ll be in the same position eventually.”
The Knights are winding down the regular season and looking forward the Mercer County Tournament, where they may be able to turn around some of those close losses.
”We are hoping to make a run in the county tournament,” Banks said. “I know the team is excited for that. It has been frustrating doing all that we have done and then losing by two or losing by one. We put so much effort into the games but the only numbers that count are the ones on the scoreboard.
”Since last year we have made good progress but we are not where we want to be.”

