Iranon the glue that keeps it all together for Crusaders

The Oscar for best supporting actor is still a highly coveted award.

In terms of basketball, Northwest Christian coach Ray Ricks would give the best supporting role honor to Derek Iranon.

The senior co-captain, who has scored in all 25 games this season for the Crusaders (24-1), averages just less than seven points a game. But Ricks said Iranon, a four-year varsity veteran, is a staple of his program.

“He’s kind of the glue that holds this together,” Ricks said. “He is a team captain, plays all positions – guard, post, forward – he picks up a lot of rebounds and plays great defense.”

Also a varsity soccer player, Iranon is one of those does-it-all kids. He is involved in his church, maintains a 3.4 grade-point average and participates in various school activities.

One of his major passions, though, is music.

Iranon, who said he has been playing different instruments since he was a kid, has played the drums for four years and plays a little bit of bass.

“(Music) is definitely a big part of my life. People say that (I’m good), I guess,” said Iranon with a laugh.

“My family is really musical and I’ve always loved playing instruments, since elementary.”

The 18-year-old was part of the State B runner-up Crusaders basketball team his freshman year, the State B third-place team his sophomore year and started on last year’s State B championship team.

Last year, Ricks moved the 6-foot Iranon from point guard to post to add some height inside. Iranon accepted the challenge without hesitation.

“When I first started, I was point guard,” Iranon said. “I really like playing guard, but the team needs a post so that’s where I play now.

“Especially at playoff time last year, Coach wanted me to be a defensive stopper. I’m that and I carry a lot of the boards for our team, so that’s a big role for me.”

Ricks said it was never an issue because Iranon is a “selfless, team player.”

“A lot of his success has been because of self-sacrifice,” Ricks said. “He’s been asked the last couple of years he has been asked to play out of position. He’s really a guard and we’ve asked him to be a post.

“He’s had to sacrifice for the good of the team, that’s what I asked him to do. He was willing to take one for the team, so to speak.”

Iranon will attend Whitworth College next year and is looking forward to living on his own, even if it is a dorm room. He will focus on academics, adding that he might try out for the soccer team his sophomore year.

“I want to make sure I’ve got my grades locked down,” Iranon said.

The second-ranked Crusaders continue to defend their state title in the District 7/9 2B championship game Saturday at Mt. Spokane. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. They will face top-ranked Republic (25-1), which they defeated in last year’s state title game and fell to in the District 7 title game on Feb. 10.