By Cooper Chadwick
Looking to lead her team to a more successful season than last year, shooting guard Brooke Banniger is excited for this season.
“I’m most excited to play our crosstown rival, South. Early in the schedule, we face a lot of tough competition, and I believe those games will prepare us to be at our best when that matchup comes. It’s always exciting to see the whole town come together to support both teams,” Banninger said.
During the offseason, to help her improve, Banninger focused on her defensive game.
“I want to grow defensively by strengthening our team communication and building trust on the court,” Banninger said. “Getting real game reps during summer league helped me practice defensive communication, and trusting teammates in live situations.”
Last year, Banninger and the Mustangs finished 10-10, and this year Banninger hopes 2026 will be different.
“This season, I’m hoping we can achieve a winning record and enjoy playing and spending time together as a team,” Banninger said.
As a senior from Salina Central, Banninger has stepped into more of a leadership role this year.
“Keep a positive attitude. Setting a good example on the court and helping our team build chemistry is important to me,” Banninger said.
As a leader, Banninger is not just self motivated, she is also motivated by her teammates
“They’re always rooting for me and pushing me to get better every game. Knowing that them and my coaches believe in me makes me want to continue to work hard,” Banninger said.
