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At NS the sound of squeaking sneakers and bouncing basketballs fills the air. Among the players, Ridge Hendry stands out not just for his skill on the court, but for the passion and perseverance that holds him.
“Ridge is a complete player,” said coach Bill Pollock. “He can do a little bit of everything and he’s really good at it.”
Hendry is not only recognized by his coach, but also his teammates.
“Ridge is a really good person,” said teammate McKay Schlappi. “He is always looking out for other people. He’s super unselfish. He always wants what’s best for the team.”
Every dribble, every shot, and every cheer from the crowd is a testament to his dedication. Hendry’s time with it hasn’t always been easy, but his love for the game has pushed him through countless times. Hendry prepared for a stressful game against Gunnison at the Delta Center on Nov. 26 by practicing and putting in countless hours of effort.
“I push myself because I want to be great, and I want to win,” Hendry said. “I play because I love the game…I am very grateful to have this title of athlete of the month.”
At the Delta Center game, Hendry led the NS boys basketball team in a close game but lost. Despite this, Hendry continues to lead the team by example.
“Ridge has done nothing but work for the opportunity to be good at basketball,” said Pollock, “and now as a team captain and varsity player he gets a chance every week to go out and represent himself and our team.”
Year after year, he has trained relentlessly, pushing past physical and mental limits that many would find hard to overcome. The high school basketball season can be hard, and Hendry knows this all too well.
“I have pushed myself to the max several times,” Hendry said. “Injuries, sickness, and burnout…most of my challenges in this sport are mental challenges…It has been important for me to have a strong mind and make sure it stays healthy throughout training, practice, games and even the offseason.”
Hendry’s mental mindset is evident in his unwavering belief in himself and his team.
“Ridge has a maturity about him that helps the other kids,” said Pollock.
Hendry attributes his mindset for his success on the court. His confidence fuels his performance.
“My mindset is always the same, no matter if it’s before, during, or after my games,” Hendry said. “I always believe we are going to win no matter who we are playing and when we are playing them…You can’t be the best without believing you’re the best; I always believe I’m the best player on the court.”
Hendry knows that individual talent is only part of the equation. Teamwork is monumental in basketball, and he emphasizes the importance of communication both on and off the court.
“Talking on the court is essential to playing together as a team and succeeding,” Hendry said, “but communication off the court is equally as important. Hanging out and sharing time together helps our team come together and build camaraderie that helps us perform better together.”
This bond has been particularly crucial as Hendry and his teammates have navigated the highs and lows of the season. As the team prepares for their upcoming games, Hendry has a lot of excitement.
“I am very excited to play. I am confident in our team,” Hendry said. “We have had a great last couple of weeks and I think our chances of success are high. We are prepared and ready to go.”
For many athletes, playing in a basketball game can be nerve-wracking. It is a fast-paced game with many uncertainties. This can make one’s mind run too fast to think, but for senior Sadie Job, her mind is calm. She thinks about what the team can do to play better, both offensively and defensively. While she is in the moment, all she can think about is basketball.
“She loves the game, she wants to be better, she has gotten better and I think she’s going to have a better year this year,” said Tyler Schlappi, NS girls basketball head coach.
Job has worked hard because she loves the sport. She started playing basketball in the fourth grade and hasn’t looked back since. Not only does she love the sport, but she loves her teammates and coaches as well. Being able to joke around and have fun with the people around her makes basketball worth it to her.
“My favorite part of basketball is being able to do something I love with people I love,” Job said.
Job shows dedication to basketball during the season and during the off-season. She works with a personal trainer as well as a speed trainer to further improve the skills she already has.
“Speed and agility training has just helped me to be quicker and more active on the court, be able to get to places faster,” Job said. “And then with my basketball training, it’s just helped my shot be more consistent, and then it’s also helped me learn more moves.”
Job’s hard work and dedication have been showing in her stats this season. She has scored 59 points so far, with 10 of those points being scored in the team’s win against Providence Hall. She is averaging 8.43 points per game. Job ranks 6th in the 3A Region for 3PM (Three points made).
Job’s hard work and kindness serves as inspiration to different people in her life, including her sister.
“She inspires me to be as determined as she is at sports and stuff,” freshman Brooklyn Job said. “She’s just a good example in loving everyone.”
What helps Job through the rough times in both the sports she plays and her other life experiences is her family. Whether it be her sister Brooklyn, her parents, or her teammates, she knows they can help her through her life and they are a big inspiration to her.
“People I know more personally in my life, such as my parents, they just keep me motivated to keep going,” Job said. “They teach me how to be able to get through hard things.”
This year, one of the team’s goals is to make it to the first round of state, and one of Job’s personal goals is to be able to help the team in the best ways she can and to be a big part of the team’s success. Playing basketball all four years of high school has made her a dedicated player.
“I can always depend on Sadie; she’s going to be there every practice, every game,” Schlappi said. “She’s really good at communicating with the girls, she’s nice, she’s respectful, she helps me. Sadie is the ultimate senior.”
