Banuelos to join Redwoods basketball
Omar Banuelos to join Redwoods men’s basketball team
Redwoods is reloading. Del Norte High’s Omar Banuelos confirmed to the TimesStandard Wednesday night he intends to join the College of the Redwoods men’s basketball team in the fall.
“What jumps out to me most about (Banuelos) is how complete of a package he’ll be walking in here on day one,” Redwoods head coach Ryan Bisio said. “Everyone knows his shooting and post-up ability. He is such a unique blend of raw competitiveness and pure joy. He’s going to bring a lot of toughness here — this is a huge commitment for us.
“His ability to shoot (3-pointers) automatically qualifies him to run with us,” Bisio, who’s Corsairs club was ranked No. 2 in the state in 3-pointers made per game when their season ended, said.
On Saturday Banuelos was named the Humboldt-Del Norte League Big 5 Conference MVP following a remarkable run by Del Norte. Banuelos was the Warriors’ leading scorer and led the club to a 23-2 overall record including an 8-0 run in the Big 5, earning the program’s first outright conference title since the 2007-08 season. Banuelos averaged 17 points-per-game last season. The most memorable moment of his senior year came when he clinched the conference title with a game-winning 3-pointer in a 50-48 victory at Arcata on Feb. 4. He scored 33 points in the win. Banuelos later led Del Norte to another win over Arcata in the H-DNL Niclai Tournament championship game.
Banuelos will join a Redwoods club coming off arguably its best season in program history, one which saw the Corsairs make it to the CCCAA NorCal Regional finals, win an outright Golden Valley Conference championship and finish 22-6 overall.
“I’m excited, I like what Redwoods did last season and I want to be a part of it,” Banuelos said. “It’ll be fun getting on the court and playing with those Fortuna guys.”
Those Fortuna guys — Zac Claus, Drew Gillette and twin brothers Donald and Bradley Willis — spent their high school careers battling it out with Banuelos and Del Norte. During the 2018-19 season alone Banuelos, then a junior, clashed with the aforementioned Huskies on four different occasions.
In Bisio’s eyes, Banuelos embodies the aggressive toughnosed play which has been a hallmark of Warriors basketball for decades.
“With Omar you’re getting a player who pays homage to Del Norte’s history every time he steps on the floor,” Bisio said.
Banuelos said it’s a “dream
come true” to remain close to his home town as he moves up to the collegiate
level.
“It's going to be a great opportunity for me to show what I can do,” the future Corsair said. “I know the Crescent City folks will be happy to have me close to home.”