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Ryan shines for Vikings in solid freshman season
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As humble as he is, Ben Ryan definitely stood out for the Augustana College men's basketball team this season. The freshman was one of the most consistent players for the Vikings this season as they racked up an 18-7 overall record, went 8-6 in a tough CCIW race and finished fourth to secure a spot in tonight's CCIW Men's Tournament semifinals. You can bet Ryan is anxious to get another shot at top-seed and hosting Illinois Wesleyan since his final choice of colleges came down to these two league rivals. The smile tells you all you need to know about his feelings about the third meeting of the season with the Titans. But that's about all you will get out of the soft-spoken 18-year-old — other than solid play. "He so epitomizes the way we want to do things," Augie coach Grey Giovanine said of Ryan. "He is fundamentally sound, hard-nosed, tough." Those attributes helped the 6-foot-5, 208-pound power forward put up solid numbers this season as he averaged 11.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game — both team-leading numbers. He led the Vikings in scoring eight times this season, with a season-high of 21. He was the team's leading rebounder in 13 of 25 games and was just one off Brandon Kunz's team-high of 14. The talented freshman also recorded five double-doubles, the last of those in this week's regular-season finale with 12 and 11. Showing his solid and consistent play, he missed seven other double-doubles by either one or two points or rebounds. "I'm just doing what needs to be done," said Ryan. "Coach has given me a role to guard, get rebounds and finish when I'm in the lane. I just try to do what needs to be done." And he has done all three of those assignments with remarkable acumen for a young freshman being thrown into the fray. He has shown a remarkable court savvy that you would be lucky to get out of an upperclassmen. "I just have the mindset of going out there to compete and play my hardest and help my teammates and myself get better," said Ryan. That he has done in every game and every practice. In fact, Ryan joked that it didn't take long to realize he wasn't in high school anymore. "The first few days of practice, I got pushed around and had to hold my ground and learn the tricks of the trade to play in this conference," said Ryan, a Washington High School standout. As it turned out, he not only played in all 25 Augie games but started all of them, as well. He became the first freshman to start all 25 regular-season games since Drew Carstens in the 2000-01 season. That was an auspicious start for Carstens, who became a consensus NCAA Div. III All-American. Ryan would love to follow that trail, too, admitting he was aware of Carstens' legacy. "That would be great to get my game to that level the next three years," said Ryan. "That is one of my goals. I have thought about it." Giovanine thought he had landed a solid prospect in the recruiting process, and Ryan has lived up to every expectation this season. He displayed a varied offensive attack that is solid from the basket out to about 16 feet. "We thought we had a good one when we got him, but until he was thrown into the fire, you never know," said Giovanine. "We recruited him with great effort and time, thinking he could have an immediate impact. .. You could see he was well-coached and really knew the game." That is surely something Ryan has done for the Vikings in an impressive freshman season. 
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Today is Thursday, May 23, the 143rd day of 2013. There are 222 days left in the year.
1863 — 150 years ago: Messrs. J. and M. Rosenfield have moved their leather and hidestore to the building formerly occupied by Temple Bufords's store. They buy and sellhides, pelts, furs, wool, beeswax, lard, tallow, etc.
1888 -- 125 years ago: The Rock Island Lumber Company has recovered 5,000 of the8,000 logs that were carried away by the Mississippi River flood last week.
1913 -- 100 years ago: John J. Ullemeyer has been awarded the contract to furnish RockIsland fire and police department members with uniforms, at the city's expense.
1938 -- 75 years ago: Work on Aledo's new $38,000 swimming pool was started thismorning at South Park when ground for the pool was broken by Mayor John W. Murphy.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Students and teacher at Moline High School called today "MissLeona Day" day at the school in honor of the government teacher who retires at theend of the school term. Although she's been teaching for 43 years at the school, Miss Dayfound a new way of arriving at the school this morning. At 7:30 a.m., a police squad carpulled up in front of Miss Day's home and escorted her to school. A caravan of students' cars joined the procession along the way.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Barbecue cooking and riverfront antics are planned for Discover the
River Day Saturday in Leach Park, Bettendorf. A 5K run, wind surfing, a canoe race, hogcalling and more will round out the day under the Interstate 74 bridge.
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