Q-and-A with Ryan Peter, Joliet Catholic basketball
January 8, 2013 8:12PM
Ryan Peter, of Jotliet Catholic. | Gary Middendorf~For Sun-Times Media
high school
CUBE
Updated: February 10, 2013 5:46PM
Even though Joliet Catholic is known as a football and girls volleyball factory, basketball players, including Peter, a 6-foot-3 senior, are trying to change those preconceived notions. Peter, a shooting guard/small forward, is averaging more than 12 points and 7 rebounds per game. He also has a solid three-point shot, shooting at a 35 percent clip.
What’s it like for an athlete who doesn’t play football or volleyball at Joliet Catholic?
It’s still a great atmosphere. We have great support. All the baseball players and football players go out to the volleyball games and they give it right back in return. It’s nice.
Joliet Catholic hasn’t been at or above .500 in boys basketball for 30 years.
Yeah, it’s not a good stat.
Were you guys aware of that?
I was, because my uncle (Dan McCarthy) coached the last .500 team and he always talked about it. So I knew all about it coming in. I only have one more year to fix that.
Did he influence you to play basketball?
Yes, and to go to Joliet Catholic. That family has been at Joliet Catholic forever. He’s the main reason I decided to go there.
You’re also on the baseball team. Is it common for baseball players to play basketball?
Not really. Coming into JCA I was all about baseball and I wanted to play at the college level. But after a couple of years I’m changing my mind. My main priority is basketball.
Was there anything that influenced you to focus on basketball?
My freshman year we had a coach, Jeremy Izzo, who played under Bruce Weber at Illinois. He passed away my sophomore year. He really encouraged me. That was my motivation.
As told to Tina Akouris
