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Scott County Central's Larandis Banks signs with Chesapeake College
SIKESTON -- Getting away from home isn't a concern for Scott County Central's Larandis Banks.
He's never been to the east coast but the 900 mile difference between Scott County Central and Chesapeake College is almost welcomed.
The senior recently signed his letter of intent to play basketball for Chesapeake College in Wye Mills, Maryland.
"It was the full ride and also the opportunity to see different things," Banks said. "I wanted to kind of get away from southeast Missouri and experience different things."
Banks, who missed the first four games of his senior basketball season after learning of a heart complication in the offseason, lead the Braves to it's 17th state championship in March and a 26-5 record while averaging 19 points.
"Anytime you have a player with his ability it really helps you out as a coach," Scott County Central head coach Frank Staple said. "The No. 1 thing is that he's a competitor. He's got an edge about himself and he's not going to back down from anybody. I think that's going to serve him well at the next level."
Chesapeake College is part of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and play in the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference. Although the Shipjacks were 6-19 last season, Banks' plan is to learn as much as he can at the two-year school and use it as a springboard to a school closer to home.
"Their program is great," Banks said about Chesapeake. "They put some people in some great places -- bigger colleges -- after their two years. I'm trying to graduate from there and hopefully transfer closer to home."
The 6-foot Banks is hoping a school in the Ohio Valley Conference -- such as Murray State or Austin Peay -- is in his future.
"I think his chances of doing that are great," Staple said. "Obviously, kids coming out of high school have things they need to improve on, but he has all the tools to do that.
"He's going out to the east coast, he won't know anybody and he'll be playing some good competition. I think we're going to hear some great things from him in the next few years."
The senior won two state championships while at Scott Central. As a sophomore, Banks averaged 14 points and 3.5 rebounds while helping the Braves to it's fourth-straight Class 1 title at the time. As a senior, he was named to the media and coaches all-state teams.
"It was great while it lasted," Banks said about his time at SCC. "This is a historical school and we just wanted to keep it going. I'm glad to be a Brave. Always will be."