Hershey High School Senior Matt Banas goes in for the layup.

Power Train Sports Institute trains athletes in all sports, from youth to the pros. What makes Power Train unique is that the coaching staff is made up of former college and world-class athletes. With first-hand experience of how it feels to train as athletes, they are well equipped to bring out the best in their clients, both physically and mentally.

Power Train founder Steve Saunders has been in the performance-coaching field for over 20 years. Steve has trained many professional athletes, helping them achieve their goals, improve their performance and ultimately fulfill their dreams and ambitions. Steve's knowledge in strength and power development is benefiting clients such as Matt Banas, a high school basketball player with big ambitions and a big talent to match.

Matt is entering his senior year on the basketball team at Hershey High School in Hershey, Pa. His father, who played basketball at VMI, taught Matt to play when he was very young. Matt says his parents never pushed him to play, but it’s always been obvious that basketball is where Matt’s talents, interest, and genetics align.  Now standing at 6’7’’, Matt knows this season’s performance will heavily influence his college prospects and he wants to be as well prepared as possible. Matt came in for a free trial session at Power Train Sports Institute last spring and says he “never looked back.” In previous off seasons he’s done other programs at other facilities, but has now settled on Power Train as the place he wants to be.  

The off season is when a basketball athlete should try to put on muscle mass if needed and try to increase their strength. Vertical jumping and agility in basketball requires not only strength to put force into the ground, but also the ability to express force quickly. As the season approaches, training sessions will include more plyometric exercises to enhance quick muscle recruitment and explosiveness.

Dan DeBrauwere is Matt’s coach at the Power Train facility in Palmyra, Pa.  He let us in on some of the exercises Matt uses to improve his vertical jumping ability.  

Matt works hard on and off the court. He made distinguished honor roll this year while taking four AP classes. He hopes to major in engineering or business next year in college. Basketball and schoolwork leave Matt with little time for other hobbies. When he has a few spare moments he enjoys hanging out with friends, family, his girlfriend, and his two golden retrievers.