Ryan Bodecker Priest River Year: Senior Sport: Basketball Position: Point Guard
It was probably Ryan Bodecker’s best game, yet still typical of his play.
Saturday, he scored 18 points, had eight steals, eight rebounds and six assists against Clark Fork in a 73-69 overtime Spartans victory.
He hit four consecutive free throws in overtime to give the Spartans the non-league win.
“He played his heart out,” said Priest River coach Gary Stewart. “Bodecker has been on fire the last two games. Ryan’s a gamer. He comes to play every day and is like a coach on the floor, and I mean that. He’s been, attitude-wise, the best kid I have ever had through any sport.”
It was a big week for Priest River. On Friday, it defeated Lakeland 51-48 to move into a tie for first place in the Intermountain League. Bodecker had only seven points (he is averaging a team-leading 11.5 per game), but had eight assists and eight steals.
“Scoring isn’t what I am supposed to do,” he said. “If the shot is there, I’ll take it, but I am supposed to pass the ball around and get it to whomever is on.”
The Spartans were picked to finish near the bottom of the IML. It was a prediction that didn’t sit well with Bodecker or his teammates.
“At first, I was kind of disappointed when I saw that,” he said. “We knew we could do better. It kind of motivated us to show how good we are. We feel we can take first or second in the league easy.”
The Spartans have a solid team with three players averaging 10 points a game or better. There has also been another key that has turned the team’s ignition.
“I have played for a long time with a lot of these guys, some since the sixth grade,” said Bodecker. “We know each other and what we are supposed to do.”
“The seniors know it’s their last hurrah,” said Stewart. “So there is a lot more drive to prove that they are one of the better teams. Ryan has had a lot to do with that.”
According to Stewart, Bodecker’s determination and desire were the reasons he was voted all-league last year.
“Physically, he is not a real athletically talented kid,” said Stewart. “Everything he gets is through hard work and attitude. He got voted in because the opposing coaches know what he means to Priest River.”
When Bodecker took the line against Clark Fork, he and Stewart were probably the calmest two in the gym.
“I like being in pressure situations,” said Bodecker. “I don’t get nervous about playing. I know they are going in.”
“If we are in trouble,” said Stewart, “the guy I am going to is Ryan. He knows how to make things happen out there.”