PIAA Wrestling: Panthers’ Banks storms into girls’ semis
Panther Valley's Brenda Banks takes down Hazleton Area's Evelyn Sheer during a 235-pound girls' quarterfinal at the PIAA Wrestling Championships on March 6, 2026, at the Giant Center in Hershey. Banks won by fall in 1:36. (Photo by Bob Lipsky)
HERSHEY — A fired-up Brenda Banks is a dangerous Brenda Banks.
Slapping her coaches’ hands hard before rumbling to the center circle, Panther Valley’s senior 235-pounder began her quarterfinal against Hazleton Area’s Evelyn Sheer on high alert. After all, Sheer has the distinction of taking Banks down in the finals of the Coalcracker Tournament earlier this season. Banks came back to win that match by fall, but she recognized facing Sheer required an aggressive edge Banks brings out when necessary.
Aggressive, yes, but smart, too. Banks refused to dive underneath the powerful Sheer. Instead, she used her quickness and technique to sweep to a single-leg shot and convert the first takedown 53 seconds into the match. Banks went to work on top, but when Sheer tried to stand, she opened herself for a counter in which Banks floated back behind Sheer but hooked her head and torso at the same time. Banks drove her opponent to her back and finished the job in 1:36.
“As much as I love competition, I also like knowing that I’m secure in my position on the top,” Banks said. “I’m glad that I dominated that match.
“They’re not normally that squirmy on the bottom,” she added, “but the fact that she was moving her hips opens an opportunity.”
So Banks (35-0), seeking her fourth state championship and third PIAA gold, advanced to Friday’s 7 p.m. semifinals against Dallastown’s Noelani Knott (34-4).
Panther Valley senior Alisa Williams (170) couldn’t get her offense going and dropped a pair of bouts to bow out of the tournament one win shy of a medal. In the championship quarterfinals, Delaware Valley’s Kate Prior decisioned Williams 8-4, and in the second round of consolations, Canon-McMillan’s Audrey Calgaro shut out Williams 7-0.
Williams finished her season 32-9 and went 79-32 in her career.
