Connor Raridon was asked to score.
The Neuqua Valley senior delivered time and time again, leading the Wildcats to an Upstate Eight Valley title, a regional championship and a sectional victory during a 27-5 season.
He scored against the local rivals. He had 15 and 19 points in wins against Metea Valley and 13 and 17 points in victories against Waubonsie Valley. He tallied 17 against Benet and added 18 more against Naperville North.
He scored the most points in a single game in Neuqua Valley’s 16-year history when he exploded for 40 points in a 96-55 home win against East Aurora in late January. He put on a show, converting all 10 of his free throws and draining six 3-pointers.
He became only the third player in school history to score more than 1,000 points, getting past the significant mark in a season-ending loss to the host Raiders in the Class 4A Bolingbrook Sectional championship game.
He shot 52 percent (155-for-300) from the floor, including 43 percent (57-for-134) on 3-pointers. He made 84 percent (130-for-155) from the free-throw line.
He basically scored from November through March.
There really wasn’t any doubt that Raridon was most deserving to be named Naperville Sun’s Player of the Year.
“He’s a better teammate than a scorer and rebounder, defender and passer,” Wildcats coach Todd Sutton said of Raridon. “He’s as good as it gets. He’s just a great teammate.”
He stepped up his game from a season ago when he averaged 12.7 points and made 37 3-pointers.
“I didn’t do a lot of scoring inside as a junior. I was more of catch-and-shoot guy from the 3-point line,” Raridon said. “This year I attacked the basket. I was asked to score more so I had to develop an inside game along with the 3-point game.”
All seasons that end with a loss are painful, but how Raridon’s junior season ended last year was particularly excruciating.
He was an uncharacteristic 0-for-9 from the field and only scored two points as Plainfield North rallied from a 13-point deficit to shock the Wildcats, 48-46 in a regional semifinal.
Having led the Wildcats to 27 victories while earning MVP honors in the Hoops for Healing Tournament and East Aurora Holiday Tournament, as well as deep into the state series, he demolished that bad memory.
“Losing in the first round was tough but it was motivating,” Raridon said. “Going into this season we knew we had the potential to be one of the better teams in conference. We wanted to win conference, win a regional and win a sectional. Although we lost early last year we didn’t think it was unrealistic.”
And Neuqua came very close to pulling it off. The Wildcats beat Bolingbrook earlier in the year, but it was Prentiss Nixon’s night with a game-high 32 points. Raridon did his best, scoring 18 points in the 59-56 loss.
The pain of this year’s loss will sting for a little while, but in time Raridon will reflect on a fantastic swan song and turn his focus to college as his father, Todd, will be his coach at North Central.
So his basketball career will continue close to home as he follows the same path as his brothers, Mitch and Derek.
“I’m going to miss hanging with the team every day, the bus rides and the laughing in the locker room,” he said. “But, I grew up watching my brothers play at North Central so it’s the coolest thing. I got some looks from other schools, but there was never any doubt that I wanted to go North Central.”
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Chris R. Walker is a freelance writer.
BOYS BASKETBALL ALL-AREA
First Team
Colin Bonnett, Benet, senior, guard, 6-4: All-East Suburban Catholic Conference selection made a huge impression by winning the A.C. Williamson Memorial Trophy at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament. Averaged 17 points, 4.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds.
Demond George, Neuqua Valley, senior, guard, 6-0: Point guard helped Wildcats average 64 points and shoot 47 percent. Averaged 11 points, 4.3 assists and 2.2 steals. Made 47 3-pointers. Produced bigtime in wins against Bartlett, Geneva and Plainfield East.
Baylor Griffin, Naperville North, senior, guard, 6-3: The engine that drove the Huskies. Averaged 12 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 steals. Shined as a leader despite relocating from Pennsylvania just two years ago.
Mark Konkle, Metea Valley, senior, center, 6-6: The area’s top inside scorer. Averaged 13.7 points and 7.5 rebounds. Established program record for rebounds in a season (233) and career (441). Signed to play football at Hillsdale.
Connor Raridon, Neuqua Valley, senior, guard, 6-4: Dedicated paid off in becoming more than just a 3-point shooter, converting 98-for-166 on 2-pointers. Averaged 15.5 points and 6.7 rebounds en route to being named Naperville Sun Player of the Year.
Second Team
Ron Edwards, Metea Valley, senior, guard, 5-9: Rose from role player to arguably the team’s most consistent starting guard from November through March. Averaged 10.5 points and 1.0 steals and helped Mustangs win regional title.
Jacob Eminger, Neuqua Valley, senior, forward, 6-4: Showed great ability to handle the ball, score and rebound for the 27-win Wildcats. Averaged 8.5 points and 4.6 rebounds and knocked down 27 3-pointers.
Chris Karkazis, Waubonsie Valley, senior, guard, 6-2: Guarded opponent’s best player while playing point. Despite those responsibilities, also led the Warriors offensively. Averaged 12.9 points, 4.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds.
Matthew Meier, Naperville Central, junior, guard, 6-2: The Redhawks’ most experienced player and it showed. Led team with 11.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists. Made 77 percent (105-for-137) of his free throws.
Dan Sobolewski, Benet, junior, guard, 6-4: Was there a more exciting player to watch play defense? He took an-almost-unheard-of 42 charges. The All-ESCC selection averaged 12 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
Compiled by Chris R. Walker