Power forward Ryan Bangs wears number 31 for a special reason -- we'll get to that. The 6' 2" senior has improved by leaps and bounds since his freshman year. He joins four other seniors that have played together since sixth grade, Drioji Joel, Israel Garza, Andre Tovar, and Khyler Beach.
Ryan's parents are Chris and Jan Bangs. He has an older brother, Logan, and two older sisters, Emma and Erin. He grew up in the NE Salem area in a middle-income neighborhood. Things were pretty calm and laid back. As a young kid, Ryan spent a lot of time playing with several friends in the neighborhood -- he enjoyed hanging out with friends. He has stayed in contact with some of the people he knew back in those days.
He attended Hammond Elementary and Stephens Middle School. One might describe his personality as outgoing and active. Ryan is reserved a little if he doesn't know you, but when he gets to know you, he's not afraid to start a conversation.
There wasn't anything unique that stood out about how Ryan found inspiration to start playing basketball. It was simply because of his friends.
"It's just something we would do. When I was seven-years old I saw all my friends playing on the streets. I wanted to be around them, so we started playing in front of my house. Basketball just grew on me and I kept playing," Ryan said.
Ryan never played on any AAU team in his early years of basketball. He has always been a three-sport athlete playing football, basketball, and baseball. Baseball was probably the first sport he played that was in an organized and competitive league. In basketball, he played at Stephens Middle School in the Skyball League. His team entered several AAU tournaments, which gave him some great experience and awareness of the talent that was around Oregon. He helped his Skyball team win two league championships.
In middle school, Ryan played with a group of friends that were close to him. One of those kids was Isaac Wayne Arzate. Isaac's number was 31 and he was someone that resonated as being part of the group -- Ryan, Drioji, Israel, Andre, and Khyler. It was on the basketball court one day that Isaac collapsed with a heart attack.
"When Isaac collapsed, we were all in shock. It was a traumatic experience. If we hadn't gone through that emotional down-spiral together, I don't know if we would have made it this far as a group. I think that incident made us stronger and more inspired to continue what we started with our dear friend," Ryan said.
Isaac continued to fight and willed himself to continue with baseball, but his life ended during the spring. It was a tough situation for all of the kids. Dealing with the loss of a close teammate was a heart-breaking state that interrupted the group's life immeasurably.
Ryan started wearing number 31 in honor of Isaac. This season will be more of a bittersweet episode with the five seniors that have stuck together for the long haul. What would things be like with Isaac on the roster? I guess we'll never know, however, I can guarantee that Ryan Bangs will be representing Isaac proudly by wearing number 31.
RIP Isaac, the guys still miss you.
"Isaac gave me the inspiration to keep playing basketball, or any other sport. Anytime I think about giving up, I imagine about how difficult it was for him to continue four months after he had his heart attack," Ryan said.
When Ryan was ready to promote to high school, his dad wanted him to enroll at West Salem High School. His sister, Emma, was playing volleyball there. Ryan wasn't too happy about that, he had his mind on his friends and how he had been around them all through grade school and middle school. He didn't feel right about leaving the NE Salem area (where his friends were) to play for an upscale school like West Salem. After a baseball game, while driving back home, he discussed it with his dad and convinced him to let him play at McKay High School where his friends would be. Ryan admits having his debates with his dad. I think most parents want the best for their kids, or at least what they feel is the best thing for their kids. No disrespect to Chris Bangs, I know he is a caring dad and wants the best for his son who he loves dearly.
McKay is a diverse school and Ryan is the minority. There aren't too many Caucasian kids at this school -- a domination of Hispanics, Islanders, and some African Americans.
"I do believe that I am a minority at McKay. I see it as a benefit to me. It's really cool to have friends that are of different ethnicity and culture. I get to eat with them and enjoy all kinds of foods. I also see it as an opportunity to learn something new. If I would have attended West Salem or Dallas, I'm not sure I would be the person I am today. At McKay, it's not about status or winning, it's about how you come out after you've put in one-hundred percent effort to enter the real world," Ryan said.
Ryan admits that some of his friends joke around about their ethnicity -- all in fun with a tight group that know each other well.
"The entire time I've been at McKay, I've never had anyone scream out racist comments to me because I'm White. I think that says a lot for the high school I chose to attend," Ryan said.
As a freshman he was put on the varsity team, but didn't contribute much. Ryan didn't give up, he knew he had a lot to learn. One of his favorite things to do was to jump up and try to dunk the basketball. You can ask any coach about what Ryan does during water breaks. He'll grab a basketball and start trying to dunk it.
Ryan started training with Coach Noza during the off-season. Throughout the years he has improved in all areas of his game. His leaping abilities are superior. I don't know about that phrase "White men can't jump" because Ryan defies that statement. In his senior year he can now dunk the basketball off of two feet and off of one leg. He definitely has mad hops.
Ryan Bangs blocks a shot against North Salem. Photo by Kent Brewer.
"I don't know why I can jump so high. I think because I've always tried to dunk the ball for years during practice, on the streets and during water breaks at practice. I just did that a lot and probably it developed my jumping abilities," Ryan said.
Ryan speaks highly of Coach Matt Espinoza (Noza), the assistant varsity coach. During the last few summers Ryan has attended most of the open-gym workouts with Coach Noza. He has improved on his footing, his shooting, his ball-handling, and his confidence on the basketball court. Another person Ryan is grateful for, is Drioji Joel, his teammate. Drioji is the one that's always dragging his teammates to the gym or to anything that can help them grow as a team together.
"If it wasn't for Coach Noza I don't think I would be contributing on the basketball court as a senior. He's been there for me and others. He is a basketball trainer that I enjoy working with. I'm thankful for the help he's provided for our team," Ryan said.
Ryan is a the type of player that plays his role on the team. He knows were to be and when he has an open look at the basket. He knows who to get the ball to if he doesn't have an open shot. His confidence has jumped up a level where he feels comfortable enough to take that three-point basket in a game.
Ryan takes a jumper for two points. Photo by Kent Brewer.
Head Coach Dean Sanderson is a big part of McKay Boys Basketball. His personality is intense during the games, and he's not afraid to speak his mind to anyone. He does so much for the players in the background. He deals with meetings, parents, practice plans, etc. I could go on and on. One day at practice a kid broke his glasses. Dean jumped on it right away. He immediately started working on a plan to get this kid some athletic glasses. Most NE Salem kids can't afford to buy glasses -- it's a tough situation. When the team travels to Medford for the holiday tournament, Dean normally treats the team with meals, or an outing at the movies.
Dean is the type of coach that is straight forward and honest about team rules. Not only does he put the time and energy at teaching his play-calling-system, he also wants his players to become decent young men before they graduate ... I'm certain that Coach Noza agrees with him. He has to be the bad guy among parents if one of the players skips class. That player will not be playing in the next game no matter how good he is. However, that player will learn a valuable lesson about responsibility and accountability before he graduates from McKay. Thank you Dean, for the work you do for the boys.
Ryan has had some discussion with Dean about certain plays or certain situations. They have even laughed together at times after their discussions. He does it to help Ryan as much as he can, and it has paid off through the years.
"Ryan Bangs is a great kid and has been fun to coach. He's a great example for all our players. He never backs down from a challenge, including guarding opponents who are much bigger and taller then him. McKay is a much better place for him, because he chose to stick it out at McKay," Dean Sanderson said.
What many people don't know is that Ryan is the type of kid that will buy a meal for a homeless person at times. If he's going through a drive-through window and he spots a hungry-homeless person, he'll offer to buy him or her a burger. Ryan also invites his friends to attend church on Sundays with him. He is focused on Jesus Christ. He volunteers at Salem Hoops Project, a non-profit organization that provides free basketball skill-set training for grades K - 8. Ryan is infused at becoming helpful to younger kids.
There's a hashtag that Coach Matt Espinoza started, it was even on a McKay warm-up shirt, "#LiftAsYouClimb". Ryan likes what that stands for, because for him, it has brought encouragement to work hard. That has got him where he's at today ... in so many ways ... on and off the court.
Ryan out jumps taller players regularly. Photo by Kent Brewer.
"Ryan has come a long way since his freshman year. He has been asked to do the hard job of being our big guy on the floor while being outsized in match-ups. I'm excited to see how Ryan applies his improvements in skill development into live games this year," Coach Noza said.
Ryan maintains a 3.3 GPA and sometimes it can be difficult to find study time. He's involved with many activities, and with late practices he often finds himself studying late at night. If there's a test coming up, he'll focus on studying for that test as it's nearing.
All the best to Ryan this season and his teammates. I'm still holding my end of the bargain. The first time Ryan gets a dunk in a game, I'll buy the varsity team 5 pizzas at Little Caesar's. I will deliver them to McKay High School after one of their practices. They will have dinner waiting. I can almost guarantee it will happen, so I better have my money ready!
Ryan, what's your favorite subject in school?
Science
What's your favorite moment in basketball?
When we beat West Salem in 2016, that has to be the best moment.
What's your short-term goal?
I really want my team to make the playoff this year.
What's your long-term goal?
If I have the opportunity to play college basketball, I'll go for it. I'd like to enroll in a program to become a paramedic or even a coast guard.
Who is your favorite professional team?
Blazers!