Banks Puts One In The Vault For LPC

His dramatic 3-point shot with one second remaining lifted Las Positas to a 78-77 victory over Cosumnes River in the championship game of the 19th annual Tony Costello Tip-Off Classic on Saturday Nov. 8 at The Nest.
Banks, the tournament MVP, had 13 points, and Las Positas fans will long remember his final swish shot.
“Richard is a big shot taker and maker, so we got the clean look for him. I felt like he was going to hit it, and he did,” Las Positas head coach James Giacomazzi said. “If Bill Raftery was calling our game on TV, I could hear him say ‘onions!’
Fans were on the edge of their seats as the two powerful men’s teams — Las Positas, No. 7 in the State Preseason Rankings, and No. 19 Cosumnes River — battled gallantly in the final minutes. The home team overcame a 10-point deficit in the second half to prevail for the third time in three days in the season-opening event that honored the beloved Costello, who ushered in the Las Positas program in 2005. He succumbed to cancer in 2013.
Las Positas and Cosumnes River both advanced to the Elite 8 of the state tournament last season, so Saturday’s matchup was expected to be played at a high level.
The teams did not disappoint in a gritty battle. It all built up to Banks’ beauty with the LPC Hawks trailing 77-75, and the final seconds ticking away.
“The game was a chess match as both teams were making adjustments to try and counter each other’s moves,” Giacomazzi said. “We hadn’t been down in a game this year yet, so I was happy to see us not panic and to see our team fight to claw back. Both teams made huge shots and clutch free throws to ultimately set the stage for the final shot.”
Las Positas was led by clutch All- Tournament pick, sophomore Jaden Woodard, who had 15 points, going 3 for 4 from the floor and 9-10 on free throws. The versatile wing out of Sheldon High tacked on four assists and a rebound.
Sophomore Kodey Weary (Weston Ranch), a 6-7 wing, had 14 points, going 6-10 from the field, 2 for 2 on free throws, with six rebounds, a block and an assist.
Banks (Weston Ranch) a 6-4 guard, was 4 for 9 shooting, 3 for 7 on 3s, and 2 for 2 on free throws. He tacked on a steal and three assists.
The Tip-Off Classic featured eight teams, most of whom with lots of fresh faces. Las Positas and Cosumnes River were the headliners. The host Hawks are ranked fourth in the North, and CRC 10th.
Las Positas walloped Contra Costa in the Classic semifinals, 88-54, after beating Butte in the first round 86-55.
“The tournament was filled with another year of strong competition,”Giacomazzi said. “Most teams, outside of CRC (who had 3 starters back) had a lot of first-year guys, so teams will continue to improve over the course of the year. I bet we’ll see about half the field make the postseason.”

Tony Costello Tip-Off Classic
MVP
Richard Banks, LPC
All Tournament
Jaden Woodard, LPC
Isaiah Minor, LPC
EJ Campbell, Columbia College
Julius Wade, Contra Costa
Mason Marsh, Cosumnes River