By: Zach Bloch and Ryan Neil
Christopher Banks, a twenty five year old Westborough athletics legend, wants to “give back to his hometown” by coaching the Westborough High School freshman basketball team. The second year basketball coach is two years out of University of New Hampshire where he majored in Kinesiology but will tell you, “I was basically majoring in soccer, that’s where my focus was.” Banks admits, “Soccer just came more natural to me, but I always enjoyed playing basketball more.” Banks was a star player on the 2003 state championship soccer team. When asked about his favorite memories from his high school basketball career he responded, “Junior and senior year, going deep into districts and the Clark Tournament. You know, winning it once. It just all felt great.”
Coach Banks loved his time as a student at WHS and is so thankful for everyone involved in the school system. Banks was born in Concord, New Hampshire but moved to Westborough at a very young age. Banks is now studying at Bridgewater College in a post grad program to get his teaching degree in Physical Education. When asked about the possible opportunity to teach at WHS he responded, “I’d love to work at Westborough. It’s a great school system, great staff and I love the people here.” Banks dream job would be working as a PE or fitness teacher for kids aging from fourth to sixth grade and have a varsity soccer and basketball coaching job.
The Westborough High basketball program has struggled in the recent years but has improved for the 2013 season. Banks remarked, “We have some real good, young sophomores and freshman in the system and hopefully have some more coming up,” when asked about the future of the program. Banks believes that the varsity team went above and beyond expectations this year and hopefully that’s a sign for years to come. Banks told us that, “I’d like to stay here and eventually coach JV and hopefully one day be up to varsity.”
The freshman basketball team, since coached by Banks has had two successful years having 14 wins and 4 losses in 2012, and 10 wins and 7 losses in 2013. Banks has never had a pregame ritual but enjoys listening to music before coaching or playing in a big game. Banks’ biggest inspiration as an athlete and a person comes from his older brother, Casey. Casey was a few years older than him, and Banks always wanted to get better so he could keep up with his brother and his friends.
Chris Banks is all about trying to get Westborough High School’s basketball program back to the glory days that he experienced on the court. He believes with Coach Brian Willar and Assistant Coach Ben Araya, the varsity team is in good shape. Coach Banks is a kind, athletic Westborough man, who is trying the best he can to leave his mark on his hometown.
