AURORA | A profile look at Regis Jesuit junior Sam Bannec, who is set to play for Team West in the second A-Town All-Star Boys Game set for Saturday, March 18, 2017, at Cherokee Trail High School. The boys game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. or immediately following the girls game that begins at 3 p.m. (buy tickets in advance: bit.ly/ATOWN2017):
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
Boys A-Town All-Star Game returns after strong debut
SAM BANNEC
School: Regis Jesuit High School
Year: Junior
Height: 6-foot-3
2016-17 averages: 11.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists per game
Season highlights: The 2016-17 season was a strange one for the Regis Jesuit boys basketball team, which has become accustomed to sparkling won-loss records and deep playoff runs during Ken Shaw’s long tenure as head coach. It was a different type of season for the Raiders, who were below or around .500 for much of the season after a 2-4 start and the postseason run ended up all too short as they lost a late lead in a Class 5A state playoff second round defeat against Chaparral. Still, Regis Jesuit had plenty of depth and talent, with junior Sam Bannec contributing in a variety of ways. On a team with tremendous scoring balance — seven players averaged six points or more game — Bannec finished second in scoring at 11.7 points per game, which marked an eight-point improvement from the previous season as he earned more regular playing time. Bannec shot it pretty well from the perimeter, but also had great explosion getting to the rim or earning his way to the free throw line. The All-Continental League second team pick also added three rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. Bannec will play on Team West in the second A-Town All-Star Boys Game.
Bannec vs. Aurora teams: vs. Overland (7 points, 3 rebounds); vs. Cherokee Trail (10 points, 5 rebounds); vs. Hinkley (4 points)
