Prospect Spotlight: Riley Sides (2019)
After an 18-4 season for the Northern Valley Huskies, up and coming junior Riley Sides and the rest of the team are hoping to build on their great season last year. Although they went 18-4, the Huskies fell 1 game short of making it to the State Tournament.
Riley Sides, a 6’1” lengthy guard coming in ranked #32 in the Prep Hoops 2019 Kansas Rankings. He is great at controlling the basketball game and finding his teammates for good looks, but really excels at scoring the basketball. Since he is so well gifted on the offensive end, he has let me know that getting stronger and putting in some hard work on the defensive end was one of his goals for the summer. No offers have hit the table quite yet, but there are a few that have their eye on Riley. Although, he hasn’t had a ton of interest, he thinks that this will be a season that more coaches will notice his talent and hard work.
Last year’s loss in the Sub State Championship no doubt has been on Riley’s mind this summer. “We thought we were the more deserving team, but the other team earned it that night. It’s definitely motivated us to make a deeper run this year.” Playing at a small school, a lot of those kids don’t go out and play AAU ball. For Riley and the Huskies, they played in community college league this summer so that they could get the younger guys in the mix and build a stronger team bond.
Riley thinks and believes that this season could be the year! “I’m looking forward to getting back in the gym with my guys and playing the game I love. It’s definitely my favorite time of the year. Our team has one goal and expectation this season, a State Championship.” He also mentioned that being from a small close town also really helps. The community has been there every step of the way and shows an infinite amount of support.
Although the town is very supportive, he couldn’t ask for a better father. “I’m lucky to have the greatest guy I’ve ever met, to be my dad. He’s my role model. He’s the toughest and most hard-working guy there is, and yet can be such a nice and generous person who would help anyone he has a chance to.” Sides says that he’s always looked up to his father and that he couldn’t be more blessed to have him in his life.
Being halfway done with high school, basketball isn’t the only thing on Riley’s mind. With a GPA just under a 4.0, he also has his mind on his future. Although, he isn’t for sure what he wants to do in college quite yet, he did mention that human health or something agriculture related is probably the route for him. Riley still is planning on competing at the next level! “I would like to either play basketball or baseball in college. They’re far and away my favorite sports.”
Riley is a great kid who has his head on his shoulders, and it will be great to see what him and the Huskies are able to do this next season.