![\"Ryan](\"http:\/\/www.daytonastateinmotion.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Ryan-Ridder.png\")
<\/a>Basketball Head Coach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\u201cWe\u2019ve got four great returners and I think we have a great recruiting class,\u201d he said, adding that, \u201cWe\u2019re going to build on last year\u2019s success and hopefully earn another conference championship.\u201d<\/p>\n
Basketball is in Ryan Ridder\u2019s blood. His father, Steve Ridder, is the 25-year plus veteran head coach at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. From 2006 to 2008, the younger Ridder was team captain and starting point guard at ERAU; later returning as a volunteer assistant coach under his father. Before coming to Daytona State he was assistant coach at Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C. In his three years there he was instrumental in the Fighting Camels many successes.<\/p>\n
Last year was successful for the Falcons, with a 26-6 record and ending the season by winning the Mid-Florida Conference at home, topping Central Florida 69-65. The Falcons are now ranked 16th nationally, in the NJCAA men\u2019s basketball poll. This is a big turnaround from the 6-25 losing record prior to Ridder\u2019s first season.<\/p>\n
The Falcons face tough competition this year. Teams like the College of Central Florida, which won the national championship in 2013, and Northwest Florida may prove to test the skills of this young team, with only four returners on the 15-member squad.<\/p>\n
Ridder is confident in his team\u2019s ability and is optimistic about the upcoming season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope to play our best basketball in March, win our region and play in the national tournament.\u201d Ridder said.<\/p>\n
Coach Ridder believes that a strong defensive strategy for his team will be important for the coming season. With young players whose general experience is scoring baskets, strong defensive skills will make them better all-around players, according to Ridder.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love defense and rebounding; those two things win championships. If we teach them how to play defense and rebound together they\u2019ll figure out how to score as well,\u201d Ridder said.
\nWith a lot of big physical players on the team, rebounding is a strong suit for the Falcons team.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are really long and athletic and that\u2019s going to be a focal point of ours,\u201d Ridder said.<\/p>\n
Returning Forward Christian Kennedy feels the same way.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got a great feeling about the upcoming season. Defense is our main point this year. We\u2019ve got a lot of young talented guys that work hard; offense will come into its own too.\u201d Kennedy said.<\/p>\n
DSC has also developed a Chicago connection. Rashaun Stimage who made the prestigious Mid-Florida First Team last year, has signed with DePaul University. Other Windy City contributors on the Falcons team this year are forward Tyquone Greer and returning point guard Markee Williams. Coach Ridder had positive things to say about his Chicago players and their contributions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey bring a physical toughness to the game, at the college level toughness is important. We\u2019ll take their background and experience
\nand help mold them into building a championship program for us.\u201d Ridder said.<\/p>\n
The team has been training and working hard to prepare for the season ahead. The Falcons\u2019 schedule can be found on the athletics page at daytonastate.edu.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Kevin D. Lane In Motion Staff Writer Basketball Coach Ryan Ridder is looking for continued success in his second season at Daytona State College. With new assistant coach Ian Gibson and many new players, he\u2019s ready to face the challenges. \u201cWe\u2019ve got four great returners and I think we have Continue reading Ridder hopes to ride winning wave again this year<\/span>