CALDWELL, Idaho - In preparation for each basketball season, the Select AAU basketball club hosts open gym practices for some of the best high school players in Idaho. On weekdays, the court would consist of players from all over the Treasure Valley and
Johnny Radford - 119 miles away from home.
"I had to take advantage of the opportunity," Radford said. "I would drive down here during the week just for an open gym in the Boise area. I'd drive two and a half hours, play for an hour and a half and then drive back. There was really nothing for me if I didn't come out."
A native of Hailey, Idaho, the six-foot guard played high school ball at Wood River High School. Playing in the 4A state classification, Radford set school records in points in a game (51), season (597) and career (1,393). Averaging 24.9 points per game as a senior, Radford was the 2019 Great Basin Conference Player of the Year and a 4A All-State selection for the Wolverines. Despite all the success, Radford knew he had to make sacrifices if he wanted to get attention from college coaches.
"The first thing I saw was his commitment to want to play college hoops," C of I men's basketball head coach
Colby Blaine said. "That was quite a significant drive just to come play, but when he got to the open gyms he was torching teams with his skill set. Our staff did a good job of recruiting him and helping him understand why this was the best place for him."
When Radford arrived at C of I in the fall of 2020, he entered a school year with remote learning, social distancing and no fans in attendance at home games. Even with all the challenges, the freshman averaged 5.5 points - including a season-high 12 points - in the 2020-2021 COVID shortened season.
This fall, Radford entered his second season with a unique blend of veteran experience and raw talent on the team. Coming in as the No. 24-ranked team in the NAIA, there came an immediate expectation of excellence when the Yotes took the floor - especially when they returned to the J.A. Albertsons Activities Center.
"It's so much different than playing with no fans," Radford said. "This year, you want to make every single shot and make the right play all the time. I like the excitement in it, especially when guys are having a good night. It's crazy how much energy the fans have."
That excitement in the building would start right from the get-go. After trailing 47-38 in the second half to Montana Western, Radford helped the home side storm back with 16 of his game-high 19 points in the final 20 minutes - capped off by 11 points in a three-minute span to help the Yotes secure the 77-64 comeback win over the Bulldogs.
"That night we knew that we had to turn it up, so I took advantage of my moment and helped us win," Radford said.
The next day, C of I would take on Simpson for the Domino's Classic title. With a slight 43-39 edge early in the second half, Radford would headline C of I's offensive attack with three 3-pointers in three straight possessions. Expanding the 4-point lead to 20, Radford scored all 17 of his game-high points in the second half to put away the Red Hawks 94-73.
"Johnny has an elite skill set of shooting and our whole team understands that that's what he can do," Blaine said. "Even in those games, he was able to create shots for himself just by shot fakes and jab steps. What I appreciate about his game is that he understands how to make the right play."
After just three games with double-digit points a season ago, Radford made his presence felt with two double-digit performances in one weekend. Part of an impressive core of underclassmen, Radford has quickly become an important component of the program in the first month of the season.
"He gives the team confidence," Blaine said. "Johnny has really long arms, so you don't realize that he can get steals. He looks like he's a small guard, but he's really not. He can get deflections and he's really starting to learn how to move laterally so he can keep people in front of him defensively."
On Tuesday night against Eastern Oregon, Radford would have to make more of an impact on the defensive end in a low scoring, back-and-forth battle. With two steals by Radford in the final 13 minutes of action, Radford would provide key minutes to help the Yotes close out the 64-61 conference opening win over the Mountaineers.
With the bulk of the conference schedule around the corner,
Johnny Radford and the Yotes will look to band together against some of the best teams in the country. But with so many games in the next three months, Radford's next big game could come at any time.
"There's guys on the team that have shown a lot of trust with me this year," Radford said. "They believe in me and I believe in them because it can be anyone's given night."
The Yotes return to action on Saturday for a home matchup against Montana Tech. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
