When John Crider was playing basketball... ]

Topeka Capital-Journal, The,  Jan 27, 2002  by Capital-Journal

When John Crider was playing basketball at Horton High, defense was dething that ran around deschoolyard. At its most intense, defense was a pastime between jump shots.

Crider made headlines on the other end of the court. He was a first-team All-Stater and the Kansas Gatorade player of the year in 1998 because he averaged 31 points and 11 rebounds.

He played defense because, uh, because basketball wasn't a two- platoon sport.

"I wasn't that good a defensive player in high school," Crider says with a smile.

So while it's newsworthy that Crider has worked his way into Washburn's starting lineup after three long years on the sideline, the real story is that he's done it with his defense.

Crider started his third game Saturday night, when the 12th- ranked Ichabods dumped Pittsburg State 89-75 at Lee Arena. His team- high 18 points were more than four times his average and gave him double figures for the first time since the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state tournament four years ago.

But the Bods already had scorers. What they needed, and what 6- foot-4 Crider has given them since he became eligible 11 games ago, were quickness and heart on defense.

"I love to watch him play," WU coach Bob Chipman said. "He plays hard."

Crider always has been a hard worker, but in high school, he saved his effort for offense. He was Horton's first, best option, and his ability to go to the basket or create his own 3-pointer earned him offers from Kansas State, Oklahoma and Southwest Missouri State.