Lady Wildcat hoopsters Cherilyn Banas and Jessica Murphy joined the ranks of previous Wildcats who have signed to play sports at the college level.
Banas signed on Nov. 10 to play basketball for Lawrence Technological University, where she will be point guard for the Blue Devils.
‘I’m excited because I actually watched them play against Wayne State and I like their style of play right now,? she said. ‘I’m looking to help lead the team. They need some guards, so I’m looking to step in there.?
As a 5?6? junior point guard for the Wildcats, Banas helped lead Oxford to a 14-7 overall record and a third place finish in the Oakland Activities Association (OAA) White Division. The Cats nearly upset Clarkston in the MHSAA District and Banas was honored as an All-OAA selection.
In addition, Banas was named honorable mention all-Oakland County and was named a team co-MVP for head coach Steve Emert’s Wildcats. Banas is also a standout softball infielder at OHS.
Lawrence Tech is a member of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC). The program is led by head coach Mary Pinkowski who is in her 3rd season at the school.
Banas said she chose Lawrence Tech because of the field in which she plans to major. ‘I am going to go into engineering,? she added. ‘That was the best school I could go to for civil engineering.?
Emert said it was a ‘great opportunity? for Banas.
‘One point guard (recently) went down and may not be back so they are hurting for a point guard,? he explained. ‘I imagine right off the get-go she might have an opportunity to play. As quick as she is and her ‘never quit attitude,? she’s finally developed that outside shot that she needs. We know she can take it to the hole. We know that she has great defensive ability. Now, she just has the blast that she needed for her game.?
Murphy signed a National Letter of Intent with Wayne State University on Nov. 12 after being recruited by head coach Carrie Lohr. WSU is currently ranked 17th in the nation by USA Today in NCAA Division II.
‘I’m really excited to be able to go to the next level to play basketball. I love the campus down there and I really love the coaches,? Murphy said. ‘I’ve been to a few of the games and I just can’t wait to start the next part of my life.?
As a junior, the 5?11? shooting guard averaged 17.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Murphy has amassed 723 points over three varsity seasons and is a three-year letter winner for the Wildcats.
In addition to being named to the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM) and Associated Press all-state honorable mention teams least year, Murphy was also named all-Oakland Activities Association (OAA) and all-county second team. Most importantly, Murphy excels in the classroom and has earned BCAM academic all-state status while carrying a 3.88 cumulative GPA.
Like Banas, Murphy went to a game to watch Wayne State play and really liked their style.
‘I really do love the campus down there,? she said. ‘It’s not too far from home so my parents and family will be able to go to some of the games.?
She is currently undecided on a major, but is considering either business, public relations/communications or something in the medical field, like physical therapy or nutrition.
‘I just want to thank everyone who’s helped me get to where I am today and (I’m) very grateful for all the opportunities I have,? she added.
Speaking of opportunities, her dad Brian is glad his daughter took the opportunities given to her.
‘She’s really worked hard. She’s been the type of kid to do the extra hours in the driveway (and) you didn’t have to tell her because she really wanted this,? he said.
‘Both my wife and I are extremely proud of what she did with the opportunities that she’s had (and) we couldn’t be more excited. The fact that we get to watch her play another four years is even a bonus.?
Emert also likes that he will be able to go to games and watch her.
‘She works hard, has a great shooting range (and) can run the floor like a gazelle. She’s a shooting guard, but (she) has point guard skills. She fits right in with Wayne State,? Emert added. ‘I’m really proud of her (and) I think she deserves this opportunity.?