Senior forward Taleah Banner was expected to be a key contributor for South Elgin in her third varsity season but not in the way that things have played out.
A rash of key injuries in the early going, particularly to starting guards Izzy Fernandez and Molly Stahl, have sent the Storm roster into a shuffle. Suddenly, Banner is running the point.
And having to learn how to do so on the fly.
“It’s getting better for me bringing the ball up because I’m going to have to do that when I go to college,” Banner said. “This right now is preparing me, so I’m ready for all of this ball-handling.”
Banner kept her handle on the steering wheel Tuesday night, scoring the first 10 points of the game to spark the host Storm to an easy 46-14 Upstate Eight Conference win over Elgin.
The 5-foot-9 Banner finished with a game-high 11 points for South Elgin (7-5, 4-0). Liv Miller added six points, nine rebounds and four steals in working her way back from an injury.
Donielle “ZeZe” Smith also scored eight points off the bench for the Storm. Trinity Riggins scored three points with four rebounds and four steals to lead Elgin (0-13, 0-4).
It’s a whole new world for Banner in running the offense, but South Elgin coach Emily Driessen thinks a combination of experience, athleticism and positive attitude gives Banner the best shot.
“She’s been on the varsity team for three years, so I think she is someone who can run with it,” Driessen said of Banner. “She brings a high energy, and the pace that she plays with brings so much value to the team.
“She’s a go-getter who will go make things happen for us. It’s helped her see success so far.”
With a roster still trying to figure out roles, the Storm started off in a sluggish fashion Tuesday. The game was scoreless until Banner hit a pair of free throws with 4:26 left in the first quarter.
That started a string of 10 straight points from Banner that stretched into the second quarter. South Elgin eventually led 23-0 before Selena Westlund hit a free throw for Elgin to break the ice.
While the scoring was nice, that’s not Banner’s goal in her new situation.
“I’m really trying to create for my teammates,” Banner said. “I don’t want to be a ball hog. I want to create for the team.”
Banner also knows that her team is reeling right now, so that positive attitude can be infectious.
“I try to keep my attitude and my energy up because I notice that, once my energy goes down, the whole team goes down,” Banner said. “I try to keep going so everybody can stay on track.
“I notice that my energy is a big part of the team so I always try to keep that up and give them motivation.”
Coming off a breakout freshman season, Fernandez injured her leg Dec. 6 against DeKalb. How long she’ll be out has yet to be determined. Then Stahl went down and is in a walking boot.
Although Driessen expects Stahl back in the next couple weeks, Miller also missed time with injury. Other players are sidelined as well, so the Storm have been creating a mix as they go.
“We’re trying to preach a little bit of next man up,” Driessen said. “I think our problem now is on the ballhandling side of things. I have a lot of small forwards and post players in there.
“We’re working on trying to adjust some things and figure it out and keep us in it and keep us in games as successfully as possible.”
Banner, meanwhile, is there to help.
“We’re going to learn how to play together and keep pushing it,” Banner said. “Get some new players to step up and see how it goes.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.