The High Country’s Roger Banks 2013 1983
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High Country Magazine
1969 April / May 2013
1966
Basketball Coaching Guru & Superstar Recruiter Emeritus
By Tim Gardner
S
ome coaches excel in a certain area. Some are superb of- Carolina High School annals, Roger compiled an astounding twofensive tacticians. Others are noted for their defensive ex- year record of 52 wins and 4 losses. As much as anyone in the pertise. Some are known as good organizers. There are North Carolina High Country, Roger helped elevate high school those regarded as program builders. Some are acute in- basketball here to the high level in which it is played. He was the novators. And yet others are more known as public relations spe- last coach at old Newland High School and the first at the consolcialists in dealing with players, fans, faculty and the communities idated (with Newland, Crossnore and Cranberry) Avery County where they coach. High School. Roger began his coaching career in the 1967-‘68 While Roger Banks was regarded by his peers and other knowl- season at Newland High, before moving to Avery County High edgeable observers for enfor the ’68-’69 season. Aptcompassing all of those ly assisted by Bruce Daniels, abilities as an outstanding Roger directed teams to basketball coach on the high 29-2 and 23-2 records, reschool, and later as an assisspectively. He led them to tant on collegiate levels, he conference regular season was particularly noted as a and tournament championdeft college recruiter. ships anda third place finish Considering the proof in the State 3-A tournament his phenomenal success as a —the Western North Carorecruiter provides, it’s easy lina High School Athletics to contend that few, if any, Association (WNCHSAA). coaches have ever done it Roger coached probably better than Roger Banks. the best player ever to come And it further warrants his out of the North Carolina elite status as a recruiting Mountains at Newland genius. and Avery High Schools in When Roger started center Tommy Burleson. recruiting a player that The 7-foot, 4-inch Burledozens—maybe even hunson was recruited by every dreds—of other universities major college or university were after, his reputation as in America. He went on to Coach Roger Banks (seated) with family (Left-to-Right): Granddaughter Emma, an ace recruiter and track play in the Dapper Dan NaDaughter-In-Law, Susan, Grandson Nick, Son, Aaron, and Grandson, Parker. record for signing all-star tional High School All-Star Emma and Nick hold a stuffed University of Georgia Bulldog to commemorate players’ added pressure on Game in Pittsburgh, PA, the Roger's coaching tenure there his competitors to deliver 1972 World Olympics, on a for his school. But when National Championship as Roger zeroed in on a recruit, he alwell as an undefeated team at North most always signed him. Carolina State University. Burleson In fact, Roger was named as one then played for four National Basketof college basketball’s best recruiters ball Association (NBA) teams—the Seby such highly-acclaimed publications attle Supersonics, Kansas City Kings, as Sports Illustrated, Sport, Sporting Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls. News and various other national magAccording to Roger, other players azines. Sport even named Roger to its on those Newland and/or Avery teams Super Salesmen: The College Baskethe coached included: Bobby Tate; ball Recruiters Hall of Fame list. Kenny Ward; Kenny Church; Roger Stanley; Randy Childress; Danny One of Top Coaches In Wright; Gary Edwards; Jim Turbyfill; Coach Roger Banks and his family shown during his coachNorth Carolina Prep History Steve Suddreth; Brad Blalock; R.D. A record that ranks him as one of ing tenure at Auburn University: Standing- Son, Aaron, and Daniels; Harvey McQueen; Billy the most successful coach’s in North daughter, Jo Beth. Seated- Wife, Virginia (Tense), and Roger Daniels; Billy Watson; Richard DanApril / May 2013
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