Taking his shot

When the history of North Central basketball is written, Nick Rijon’s name will be listed among its contributors.

The Indians’ four-year varsity player has been prominent in their recent run of success.

A program that waited more than half a century between state appearances placed fifth and third the past two seasons, and Rijon has played a major role both off the bench as a sophomore and leading the charge last year.

Even more is expected in this, his senior season.

“He needs to (do more) if we are going to be successful,” said NC coach Jay Webber.

Rijon has answered the call, averaging 18 points a game during the Indians’ 3-1 Greater Spokane League start.

“I think he’s become more of a leader,” instructing and involving his teammates, Webber said.

Leadership has come with experience for Rijon, who joined the varsity six games into the season as a freshman and made an immediate splash. Against Gonzaga Prep he converted three 3-pointers in his 15-point scoring debut.

“We got into a situation at Christmas break and had to move him up,” Webber recalled of Rijon’s start.

Rijon remembers it as if it were yesterday.

“I was nervous. It was really bad even when they said my name,” he said. “Then I got out there and it all went away. I did my part and was good to go.”

The next year, NC’s first trip to a state tournament since 1951, there was enough leadership. Rijon was content as a role player, averaging about six points per game in deference to seniors Eric Beal and Damal Neil. They led the Indians to a fifth-place state finish.

“I loved coming off the bench and feeding off what they were doing,” Rijon said. “It literally helped me play better.”

Last year, when the team went 4-16 in the GSL then took a magical spin through postseason, Rijon’s responsibility increased. But it took an incident 14 games into the season for it to crystallize. He missed a practice to attend a rap concert and had to sit out a game. He said it was a case of miscommunication.

“It was kind of a low point of the season,” Webber said. “But I think he realized if something were going to happen, a lot of it had to do with him.”

In nine playoff games, seven of them wins, Rijon increased his 13.4 season average to 17.3 and the Indians improbably placed third in state.

“When it comes to crunch time, he is outstanding,” Webber said. “I don’t know how many big shots he made for us last year, even this year. In the four games we’ve played, he’s made huge shots at critical times.”

Rijon was born to be a basketball player, saying his mother told him he “started playing when he came out.” He was shooting a ball into a laundry basket sitting on the couch when he was a toddler. He emulated older brother Steve, six years his senior, who also was an NC player.

“He was mainly my influence,” Nick said. “He was like my dad growing up. I never had one. I fed off him. No matter what, I had to be better than him. It’s what I kept striving for.”

He chose basketball over other sports, because the game poses constant challenges, he said.

Webber followed him growing up and did what it took to make sure that by high school he’d enroll at older brother’s alma mater.

“Whether you want to say it or not, there is recruiting that does happen,” Webber said. “You have to do your part as far as getting kids here who should be here.”

His graduation will be a blow, Webber said.

“There are certain players you don’t replace,” he said. “We had a couple (Beal and Neil) a few years ago and now Nick. You just don’t replace kids like that.”