One of the hardest things a player can go through is sitting on the sidelines injured, watching their team play. What would make it even harder is having it happen before the player even got a chance to step on the court. That is what happened to Ryan last basketball season.
Ryan came into last season as a Junior ready to show off his talent and help the team defend their Sectional Championship. However, before the first game Ryan suffered a broken collarbone. Due to Covid the season was shortened and compacted into just a couple of months, which meant Ryan's injury would put him on the sideline for the entire season. This left Ryan with a decision. He could either put his head down and feel sorry for himself, or he could pick his head up and find ways to help the team. This was an easy decision for Ryan.
Going to practice every day and grinding for weeks or months is hard enough. Going to practice every day knowing you will not be able to play takes a special kind of dedication and attitude. That is exactly what Ryan showed last season. Despite the injury and the realization he would not be able to be on the court he showed up every day ready to help any way he could. It didn't matter if it was a small task like getting balls or throwing passes so other players could put up shots, Ryan would do it. You could see him on the sidelines cheering the team on during the games. As hard as it was for him to not be able to play, I think it had farther reaching benefits for him. You never truly appreciate what sports mean to you or what being a good teammate is all about until the ability to play is taken away from you.
Ryan showed a great deal of maturity making that decision last season knowing it would benefit him this season, and it has. Ryan came into this season healthy and ready to work, which led to him earing a starting role in the beginning of the season. He has become a player coaches and teammates know they can rely on. It is early in the season and Ryan has established himself in the guard rotation as a player who can knock down shots and who gets other players involved in the game. When I asked Coach Otto about Ryan he had this to say, "Ryan is a very hard worker. He takes great pride in his defense. He is a team player who is well liked by all his teammates."
Ryan has always been very active and has enjoyed sports. Whether it be baseball, football, basketball or snowboarding Ryan is always doing something. He was on the football team the last two seasons as a wide receiver. He was a part of the Lancaster team that won the Sectional Championship this last spring. He was also on this season's team that finished just short of another Sectional Championship.
Ryan's level of dedication and his work ethic will carry him far in life. He understands what it means to be a person that any team, whether on the court or in life, can rely on to show up and help anyway he can. I wish you the best of luck and look forward to seeing what you can accomplish after graduation.
Here are some questions that Ryan answered for me:
1) What are your plans after graduation?
Attending college
2) Where are you going and what are you majoring in?
Medaille, Psychology
3) What is your favorite athletic memory you were a part of?
Going to out of town tournaments for travel baseball.
4) What is your favorite athletic memory you were NOT a part of?
The Bills ending the playoff drought.
5) What is your favorite sports team?
Bills
6) Who is your favorite athlete?
Derek Jeter
7) Do you have any pregame rituals?
I always have to use the bathroom.
8) What is your go to post game meal?
Pizza and wings.
9) What is your favorite memory of high school?
Making memories with people you don't forget.
10) What athletic event still leaves a bad taste in your mouth?
The Sectional Championship game against Bennett at the Bills stadium.
11) What is the best advice you have received?
One moment can't define a lifetime.
12) Who is your favorite band/artist?
Nas
13) What is your favorite movie?
Meet the Robinsons
14) Who do you look up to the most?
Dr. Dre
15) What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I spend a lot of times with my dogs.
Here are some questions that Ryan's parents took the time to answer for me:
1) What is your favorite sports memory of him?
Mom- There probably isn't a specific moment but more so the feeling I get every time he takes the court/field. He has been playing sports since he was 5 and it is just a part of who he is. I absolutely love watching him interact with is team and preparing as a "team", because for him it is all about being a team and not an individual player.
Dad- Ryan being a part of the championship football team and playing at the Bills stadium.
2) What is your favorite nonathletic memory?
Mom- Going parasailing with him in the Outer Banks.
Dad- His unsupervised walks to grandma's house as a kid.
3) What is your proudest parent moment?
Mom- There are many, but Ryan has always been a kid that wanted to get everyone involved in the game. Even going back to his days playing in the Lancaster rec league he would always try to get the ball to the kids who weren't necessarily as athletic or aggressive. Watching him get the ball to those kids so they could get a chance to show off their ability and feel like they were more a part of the team, is something we are extremely proud of him for.
Dad- Ryan getting accepted into Medaille.
4) Any words you want to say to Ryan or about him?
Mom- It has been such a pleasure to watch you throughout the years playing and growing on all the teams you were on. It didn't matter the sport; baseball, football, basketball (even a dabble in lacrosse), you showed up and gave it your all. Through the years of commitment and hard work on the field/court and off, you have grown into a respectful and driven young man. It makes me so proud to see you following your passion and doing the things you enjoy. While this chapter in your life is coming to an end, the next one will prove to be bigger and better, and I can't wait to watch what you do with it. Don't let anyone or anything steal your smile in life! Love you Buddy!!!
Dad- I am very proud of all of your accomplishments and how you always gave it everything you had. Never quit being the best that you can be!
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