Even a bad photo can still be good, especially when the moment turns out to be part of something great.
A few years ago, I saw a photo that was taken of me interviewing a high school basketball player after an all-star game on his Facebook page. It’s a fun memory and as of today, that picture now means so much more.
As a sportswriter for the Richmond Palladium-Item, I met Cory Ryan back in 1998 when he was a junior at Northeastern High School in Fountain City. He would graduate in 1999 as the all-time leading scorer in school history with 1,445 points, which is now third on the list behind Tyler Smith (1,947) and Kolden Vanlandingham (1,615).
The big news for today is the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame announced its 2024 Silver Anniversary Team and Ryan made the squad.
“I’m extremely honored to be selected to the Hall of Fame Silver Anniversary Team,” Ryan said. “When I was nominated, I truly didn’t know what to expect as I was happy to be in the conversation.”
Since its establishment in 1962, the Hall of Fame now located in New Castle, has named a team comprised of players who graduated 25 years earlier.
“To be selected by the committee, it’s just an unbelievable feeling to know the hard work and commitment to the game of basketball is continuing to pay off,” Ryan said.
As the first Northeastern boys basketball player to earn a NCAA Div. I scholarship, Ryan was named to several all-state teams in 1999. He also attended the Hoosier Basketball Magazine Top 40 Senior Workout, while playing in the North-South Indiana All-Star Classic.
“Cory was a great kid to coach.” said Tom Zell, who led the Knights from 1980 to 2000. “He had a lot of talent was a great kid to have on your team.”
During his four seasons at Bowling Green State University of the Mid-American Conference, Ryan scored 613 points. He served as team captain in 2022-23, while being selected as the squad’s Co-Most Valuable Player. The Falcons also played in the National Invitation Tournament twice.
In 2020, Northeastern retired his high school No. 42 jersey on Jan. 2.
“Cory is getting rewarded for work he did in junior high and high school,” said current Northeastern coach Brent Ross. “He showed what a student-athlete had to do to achieve the goals he wanted to achieve.”
Ryan played for Ross at the junior high level.
“He focused on the classroom and working out and doing things the right way,” Ross said. “He was a pleasure to coach and watch grow into a positive influence in the community as he continues thru the journey of his life.”
Hall of Fame Connections
The first Silver Anniversary Team for high school girls was in 2001.
Northeastern’s Amy Wright, who went on to have a Hall of Fame career at the University of Arkansas, was recognized earlier this year as part of the 2023 Girls Silver Anniversary Team.
Another connection to a Silver Anniversary squad is with Stacie Shepherd, who serves as a coach in the Northeastern girls program. Shepherd was selected for the team in 2015. An Indiana All-Star in 1990, the Richmond High School graduate was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.