9C Extra:For Big Sandy and 9C tourney vet Ryan Roth, it's always been basketball

Kids all over the Hi-Line dream of playing in the Distrcit 9C tournament. Big Sandy's Ryan Roth was no different.

This week, however, Roth is playing in his fifth 9C tournament, which will, emotionally, also be his last.

The 6-1 senior has been a force for the Pioneers this season. There have been many times he has scored in double figures. But Roth is not just great at scoring points naturally. He's been working since he was young to get better in his game.

Over all the seasons Roth has played with Big Sandy, he has further developed a strong love for the sports he plays, which are football and basketball. Playing two sports can sound a bit taxing, but for Roth, both sports mean a great deal to him and how he works.

"Football and basketball in shape is different," Roth said. "You transition from football to basketball and it's probably the transition. Throughout football, I think football is the pastime to basketball, so I'm always in the gym, even though I don't let my football coach know that, but I still get shots off."

Roth has played a big part in helping the Pioneers reach new territory this season. After an outstanding regular season in the grueling District 9C, Big Sandy picked up the No. 3 seed in the conference.

And not only did Roth make a difference on the court in the regular season, he has been a great player for the Pioneers so far in the postseason, too.

Against Chester-Joplin-Inverness Wednesday night, Roth put up five field goals, one 3-pointer and three free throws to total 16 points to help his team beat the Hawks and head to the semifinals.

Donning purple and gold, Roth not only is a standout on the court, but a good person, as well. He has a lot of respect for his team and his competition. He puts the best sportsmanship he can in his sports and leaves an impact wherever he goes.

But, when it comes to the game of basketball, Roth knows what makes it special to him.

"I love to compete," Roth said. "I love being out there with all those people. It's just nice to be out there to get shots up and run a little bit. I want to see how far I can go with basketball."

Roth and his sports mean a lot to him in the end and with his last year with the Pioneers ending, he will look to make the most of it and work to help his team move forward in the postseason, starting with today's game against Chinook. But before that, the Havre Daily News caught up with the Big Sandy standout for five questions.

HDN: Who is your favorite National Basketball Association (NBA) player?

Roth: "I probably go with Kevin Durant. I just like how he plays. I probably don't play like him, but I love watching him play."

HDN: What is your favorite memory with the Big Sandy boys basketball team?

Roth: "Even though we lost a lot of games, I had a lot of fun my eighth grade year. It was just fun to be with all those guys. But, I believe the best memories are yet to come this season."

HDN: Who would be your teammates for a three-on-three basketball game?

Roth: "I would choose Clint Darlington and Kade Strutz."

HDN: What are your hobbies outside of sports?

Roth: "I like snow and water skiing. Besides that, I like to work. I live on a ranch."

HDN: What are your future plans after high school?

Roth: "I would like to go on and play college basketball somewhere. A lot of people have told me I have potential and I believe I have potential. I know it's another step up. It's like a job. I do think I have a future playing after high school."