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Ridnour gives gym rats a lesson By KRIS HENRY Luke Ridnour has the look of a gym rat. His slight 6-foot-2 build carries a basketball as if it's an extension of his body. If there is basketball to be played, Ridnour is the type who will be first on the scene and last to leave. In the process, Ridnour's presence and that of Oregon teammate Jay Anderson afforded a few other lessons for about 30 young boys ranging from fourth to seventh grade. For Mike Harthun, 11, Ridnour's tale of childhood days spent at the gym proved to carry the most weight. The son of a basketball coach, Ridnour played basketball three hours a day from fifth grade on up - helping mold himself into a McDonald's and Parade All-American in high school and last year's Pac-10 Conference freshman of the year. "It was really fun having them here and asking them how hard it was to make it to where they are now," said Harthun, a sixth grader at Hedrick Middle School. "I've been playing since I was 1 and they said they didn't really get into it until fifth grade. I was kind of happy to hear that because that means maybe I have a good chance of making it too." Harthun said he has a goal of playing college basketball, and the fact that he doesn't have to be 6-8, 220 pounds to do so provided added confidence to the camp's one-on-one champ. For Ridnour, 20, the lessons learned by Harthun were exactly as intended. "God builds everyone different and you just have to take what you get," said the 170-pounder. "That's why I like talking to the kids, especially in the smaller towns. It doesn't matter where you go to school or how big you are, you still have a chance." Growing up in the small town of Blaine, Wash., Ridnour made the most of his chance with the help of camps like the one Friday and the unflinching support of parents Rob and Muriel Ridnour. In high school, Luke Ridnour led his team to a 97-11 four-year mark and two straight state championships. The three-time state 2A player of the year averaged 23 points and seven assists in his prep career. Despite his freshman status last year, the blue-chip prospect was the only Oregon player to start all 28 games, ranking eighth in the Pac-10 in assists per game (3.7). Focus camp director Josh Jamieson, a second-year graduate manager for the Ducks, said it was actually Ridnour who approached him about attending the local camp. Jamieson jumped at the prospect of having Ridnour and the 6-9 Anderson come to Medford. "I don't think this area gets the opportunity to hear from guys who are playing at that high of a level," said the former South Medford High freshman boys coach. "The opportunity to bring a couple guys in who have experienced that level is what's big for me. That and the fact that they're both really quality guys." Ridnour and Anderson blended in with Jamieson's other camp assistants: James Wightman, Travis DeManby, Steve Hilgendorf and Eric Fiegi. In fact, the star of the camp for many of the youths was DeManby, who plays at Fresno State and was a former South standout. Most of the local helpers have been involved in Jamieson's camp since its inception in 1997. That's not to say that the dribbling exhibition put on by Ridnour didn't open a few eyes Friday. "I haven't really watched many of (Oregon's) games but just by looking at him today he's really amazing," said A.J. Palazzolo, who fittingly was decked out in Duck colors. Palazzolo said the encouragement to never give up was what he'll take from the week-long camp. He's just not so sure about the three-hour per day regimen suggested by Ridnour. Although not right for all, Ridnour had no doubts there was another gym rat in the crowd. "There's one kid in here who'll be like that. There's always one," he said. A while later with the gym practically empty, Harthun put up a shot. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.