Coach with California roots leads American Heritage to softball state final
'After that game, I was thinking, 'I don't know if this coaching thing is for me,'' said Banister, a former first baseman for the University of Arizona softball team.
Fast forward 11 years, and everything has flipped.
Banister is in South Florida and no longer her native Northern California.
And now it's her squad – the American Heritage Patriots – that is run-ruling opponents.
On Thursday morning, American Heritage routed Seminole Osceola 15-1 in a Class 4A state semifinal in Longwood.
The Patriots (23-2) will play Fort Walton Beach (22-8) on Friday night at 6:30 for the 4A title.
In Thursday's win, the Patriots got a huge game from freshman right fielder Bella Benton, who went 3-for-3 with a career-high seven RBIs. She had a three-run homer, a three-run double and an RBI single.
'I was really hyped and excited to play at state,' Benton said.
She wasn't the only hyped Patriots player. That list includes Emma Griffith, who went 3-for-3 with five RBIs; Sam Santana (2-for-2, two RBIs): Mia West (solo homer); and Adri Layne (3-for-3 with a triple).
Eighth-grader Lyric Rodriguez (13-2) started and got the win. Benton, who is 10-0, pitched two innings in relief.
'We have young leadership in the circle,' Banister said of her pitchers.
The Patriots also have a young leader in Banister, a 38-year-old native of Petaluma, California.
She comes from an athletic family, including her father, Jon, who was a professional rodeo cowboy before retiring.
Banister accomplished some amazing things in high school, serving as student body president, earning MVP honors for Petaluma High's volleyball team and getting named first-team All-State for three straight years in softball.
In 2004, she hit a walk-off homer to give Petaluma the Northern California State title. In 2025, she homered in all three of her postseason at-bats as Petaluma won the NCS again. She was intentionally walked in all her other plate appearances.
At Arizona, Banister was a four-year starter, helping the Wildcats reach the Women's Softball World Series four straight years. The Wildcats won the national title in each of Banister's first two years at Arizona.
After college, Banister married and started a family with former Piper High outfielder Tom Collaro, who made it as far as Triple-A with the Chicago White Sox.
'We met at a house party while I was at Arizona,' Banister said light-heartedly. 'I decided to date him because he could hit.'
The couple settled in Petaluma, which is where Banister started giving private softball lessons to kids.
When COVID hit in 2020, the family moved to South Florida, where Collaro is from.
'My husband saida: 'South Florida needs a female coach like you,'' Banister said. 'We sold our house. We sold our business. We sold our belongings.
'It was a giant leap of faith.'
The couple rented a house in Coral Springs, and Banister landed a job as an American Heritage assistant coach under Marty Cooper, who has won all eight of the Patriots' state titles, most recently in 2018.
Then, prior to the 2023 season, Cooper said he was ready to retire and asked if she would like to take over as coach.
'l immediately started to cry,' Banister said. '(Cooper) has done so much for softball. He has changed the game. He's a legend with more than 600 wins.
'It was sad to see him go, but it was a big moment for me – an honor.'
It would be an even bigger honor if Banister on Friday can become the first coach other than Cooper to win a state softball title for the Patriots.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Patriots Insider Shuts Down Possibility Of Major Addition Before Week 1
After two preseason games, the Patriots have as much positive momentum as anybody. The team won both of its preseason games so far and has enjoyed breakout performances from several players this summer. The team made several impact additions this summer, and adding Mike Vrabel as the head coach could be the biggest move of all. As a result, BetMGM has the team's win total at 8.5 games, which is more than double the number of games the team won last year. Looking at this roster, it isn't hard to see why expectations are so high. Drake Maye impressed as a rookie and should only get better in his sophomore season. The team looks to have a two-headed monster at running back with Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, and the wide receiver room is loaded with talent. On defense, the team could have one of the best corner tandems in the league with Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis II. Milton Williams was added to the defensive line as well, and paired with Christian Barmore, gives the team a fearsome front. It makes sense then that the team reportedly feels good about the roster ahead of Week 1. Insider Dianna Russini reported on Tuesday that the Patriots are unlikely to make another big move before the opener. 'The Patriots- like every team- are constantly looking for possible ways to improve their roster,' said Russini. 'But from conversations I've been having, I don't sense that New England is close on a deal for any of the NFL's disgruntled stars at this time.' This is a notable report considering the history between Russini and Vrabel. If the Patriots really aren't interested in more splashy moves, then that means we have a good idea already of what the final roster will look like. Trey Hendrickson, Cameron Heyward, Terry McLaurin, and Micah Parsons are just some of the big-name players who are reportedly unhappy in their current situations. McLaurin and Parsons, in particular, would be interesting additions for the Patriots, but as Russini reported, a move isn't likely at this time. Related Headlines Notre Dame Boldly Chooses Teenage Freshman as Week 1 Starter Versus Miami Hurricanes Mets Broadcaster Blasts Rob Manfred's Geographic Realignment as 'Total Destruction of Traditions' Cam Ward Will Reportedly Have Added Pressure of Saving Brian Callahan's Titans Job?
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Five-time All-Star John Wall retires from NBA after injuries derailed career
John Wall, a five-time NBA All-Star who spent the majority of his career with the Washington Wizards, announced his retirement from professional basketball on Tuesday, Aug. 19. In a post on social media, Wall thanked family and fans and said he wants to remain involved in the game. He hasn't played in the NBA since the 2022-23 season, and his longevity and production were interrupted by injuries, especially late in his career. After spending one season in college at Kentucky where the Wildcats went to the Elite Eight under John Calipari, Wall was the No. 1 overall pick by the Wizards in the 2010 NBA Draft, and he zoomed into the league with his blazing speed and explosiveness. He averaged 16.4 points, 8.3 assists and 1.8 steals in his rookie season, earning second-team All-Rookie honors. Wall, the 2014 NBA slam dunk contest champion. was just the player to help usher in the Wizards' rebuild and distance the franchise from the end of the Gilbert Arenas tenure. Wall's dynamic style as a scorer, pick-and-roll ace, passer, defender and fastbreak generator made him a fan favorite in Washington, D.C. His behind-the-back move with the basketball while racing toward the rim baffled defenders and often resulted in creative, blow-by layups. By the time Scott Brooks took over as coach of the Wizards in 2016, Washington had turned into one of the better teams in the league. With Bradley Beal, the No. 3 pick in the 2012 draft, the Wizards also had one of the best backcourts in the league. Washington finished 49-33 in 2016-17 and lost to the Boston Celtics in a seven-game second-round series. That season, Wall averaged 23.1 points, 10.7 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals and shot 45.1% from the field, 32.7% on 3-pointers and 80.1% on free throws. He made the All-Star team, finished seventh in MVP voting and made his only All-NBA team. However, the Wizards haven't won a playoff series since, and injuries began to derail Wall's career. After playing in 78 game in 2017-18, he never played in more than 41 games the next five seasons and missed all of the 2019-20 and 2021-22 seasons. He played nine seasons for the Wizards who traded him to Houston in 2020. He spent his final season with the Los Angeles Clippers. In a tribute post on social media, the Wizards called Wall one of the best players in franchise history. He is Washington's all-time leader in assists (5,282) and steals (976) and the team's fourth all-time leading scorer (10,879 points). The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Patriots trade targets: Top options if team deals early-round picks
The New England Patriots made significant upgrades to their roster during the offseason, but executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf wouldn't rule out making more ahead of the 2025 NFL season. Wolf was asked at Monday's practice whether he would consider trading a first-or second-round pick to add talent to the team. "Sure," the 43-year-old replied. Why would Wolf contemplate such a move? "Just doing what's best for the team," Wolf explained. "If there's a player out there that we feel like can help us and it costs that, then we would consider doing that." The Patriots are uniquely positioned to target top players via trade. They are armed with a league-high $59.8 million in cap space, per so they could extend any player they acquire using an early-round selection. Which players might be the Patriots top targets if they do get aggressive? Here's a look at a few candidates they could pursue. Trey Hendrickson Hendrickson is widely known to be available as he and the Bengals remain in a contract stalemate. The Patriots are among the teams to have called the Bengals to check in on veteran pass rusher, according to NFL insider Armando Salguero. Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks last season with 17.5. He, along with offseason signees Milton Williams and Harold Landry III, would provide a shot in the arm to a Patriots defense that totaled a league-low 28 sacks in 2024. While Hendrickson would fit well in New England, a deal between the two parties doesn't appear close, as NFL insider Josina Anderson outlined. "I'm told the New England Patriots currently feel the cost to acquire Bengals star rusher Trey Hendrickson is 'too much,' per a league source as of Monday," Anderson reported. "The club continues to do due diligence by monitoring the market for Hendrickson." Perhaps that will change if Cincinnati's reported asking price for the 30-year-old – a 2026 first-round pick and a young defensive player, per The Athletic's Dianna Russini – drops. Terry McLaurin The Patriots signed Stefon Diggs during the 2025 NFL offseason, and added depth at receiver during free agency and the draft. Still, New England could use more proven talent at the position and a true, No. 1 target for Drake Maye. McLaurin would qualify. The seven-year veteran has posted five consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons and generated a career-high 13 touchdowns last season as Jayden Daniels' top target. Despite McLaurin's success, he and the Commanders haven't been able to agree on a long-term extension, which prompted him to request a trade. The Commanders are currently projected to have the fourth-most cap space in the NFL during the 2026 offseason. As such, they may eventually find a middle ground with McLaurin, who could earn a contract similar to the four-year, $92 million pact the Denver Broncos reached with Courtland Sutton during the offseason. But if Washington is reluctant to give the soon-to-be 30-year-old McLaurin that type of contract, the Patriots could swoop in and target him to provide Maye a consistent weapon. Micah Parsons Like Hendrickson, Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys are embroiled in a contract dispute ahead of the 2025 NFL season. That led the two-time All-Pro first-teamer, who has recorded at least 12 sacks in all four of his NFL seasons, to request a trade out of Dallas. Will Jerry Jones capitulate to Parsons' demands? The Cowboys owner hasn't yet shown willingness to do while the team has insisted the two parties will eventually work something out. However, if the relationship becomes irreparable, Parsons would fetch the Cowboys a king's ransom on the trade market. There's little doubt the Patriots would be among the teams most interested in acquiring Parsons given their need for a long-term partner for Williams, a top interior rusher. Few teams would be as well-positioned as New England to send out draft capital for Parsons and give him a record-breaking contract.
