ROSTER IS FILLED WITH PLAYERS CONTRIBUTING TO TEAM’S SUCCESS

But there hasn’t been much losing. Canyon Springs enters the state tournament with a 24-2 record.

At the beginning of the season, it was six-time defending state champion Bishop Gorman, preseason favorite Clark and Southeast league power Coronado mentioned as contenders to win a state championship. Canyon Springs was given no chance.

The kids took notice, and it has motivated them.

The mentality of the Canyon Springs players, and not just this season, is refreshing.

Regardless of their opponent, there’s no backing down. To a man, they believe they’ll board the bus Saturday in Reno with the state championship trophy.

“When I hear (others doubting us), I let the kids know,” Banks said. “When someone talks abut my kids, I get offended. They are like me. They are passionate. They come in and do what they have to do.”

Legardy is Canyon Springs’ most valuable player; the sophomore Spaight is next in line to be the Pioneers’ leader; and players such as De’shawn Keperling and Christopher Ward don’t back down in the post, despite standing just 6-foot-4.

But Banks will tell you it’s more than just those core players. It’s everyone on the roster. He can easily point to any player and explain how, without their contributions, Canyon Springs wouldn’t be in the state tournament.

And it’s not just coachspeak. Banks firmly believes it.

He used Anthony Soares, albeit for just a handful of seconds, on a defensive possession late in the first half of the Sunrise Regional championship game victory against Coronado. Nate Smith, another reserve, rewarded Banks’ confidence with a 3-point play in the same game.

“When (the season) first started in September, we just kept practicing hard and playing hard,” Canyon Springs junior Kayvon Alexander said. “We knew we had a good team if we put in the work and stayed together.”

A few minutes after the game ended and the players stormed the court in celebration, they gathered for a photo with the Sunrise trophy. They were joined by family members and school staff, all relishing in the accomplishment of earning a trip to Reno. Together, they proved everyone wrong.

And they plan to do it again.