The Wayside: Sci-Tech Preparatory (STP) Varsity Ravens basketball team saw nothing but net this season, taking their talent and winning attitude all the way to Nationals, where they won 3rd place. This is the first time in Wayside Schools’ history that a sports team has qualified for Nationals.
According to their coach, Derek Banks, part of what really set this team apart was their desire to be great.
“From the starting players to those on the bench that wanted the opportunity to play, each member of the team stepped up to be better and to be great, and they went into each game thinking that they had the ability to win and would win,” Banks said.
For both Banks and the team, one of the most exciting parts of nationals was having the chance to play teams from different states and competition levels. It was also fun for the team to travel together.
“I think the chemistry the team had is what made us so strong,” said Pablo Zapato, a Freshman on the Varsity Boys Ravens. “We were always pushing each other to work harder and be
better.”
When asked how Coach Banks inspired them, Gabriel Davis, a Junior on the team, said, “Coach always told us to be better than anyone in front of us, always give it our all, and never give up.”
Zapato added, “He would tell us to try our best, and we would succeed.”
Once the team qualified for Nationals, they faced the challenge of finding a way to raise money for their trip to the tournament. In true Raven spirit, they gave it their all and didn’t give up. Over a period of about one month, the team sold water and created a Go-Fund-Me page that raised the money they needed for the trip.
“I would just like to say thank you to those who supported the team with donations for giving our kids an opportunity they would not have gotten without your help,” Coach Banks said.
Congratulations on an incredible season, Ravens!