Why he was selected: Hit the game-winning basket to give Aurora Christian the 2A Westmont Regional title on Friday against Immaculate Conception.
Aurora Christian's Ryan Suttle was a key part of the Eagles team that advanced to a 2A supersectional in 2010-11 before falling victim to a first-round upset last season. Now, the senior point guard is hoping to lead the Eagles on a postseason surge that mirrors what Suttle (a linebacker) and the football Eagles accomplished in the fall, winning a state title. Suttle, the St. Charles Bank & Trust-Kane County Chronicle Athlete of the Week, spoke with Chronicle sports editor Jay Schwab leading up to tonight's 2A Byron Sectional final against unbeaten Winnebago. The following is an edited transcript:
With that last-minute put-back [on Friday], was it a matter of them just not getting a body on you?
You know, I just saw it going up and I think there was a guy actually trying to box me out but it just kind of bounced over him, and I was just kind of in the right place at the right time for a long rebound, I guess.
How much did it mean to win a regional title, especially with last year being one-and-done?
Definitely it felt good to make up for last year, that loss against Plano. Just being a senior, I guess it means more. It was the last chance to go out there and make a trip to state. Being able to get that shot and get a win, it was awesome.
You guys know about Winnebago, having seen them once, but how high of a degree of difficulty is that game?
They're obviously a great team, undefeated this year. We played them once this year; I didn't think we played our best game but we definitely have to give them credit. They're a great team. The more aggressive team is going to win, just getting rebounds, getting hands up on shots is going to be the key to the game.
What's your toughest class been this semester, school-wise?
School-wise, there's a few. I would say psychology but it really hasn't been that hard of a year. My grades have been pretty steady.
Any college plans yet?
I have not decided on a college yet, still looking. I was talking to a lot of football coaches and just kind of decided I won't play football, at least for my first year of college, so now I'm just kind of looking for basketball.
