Mountaineers welcome new players to Toowoomba
Ridgeway offers a winning mentality
When Harold Ridgeway first stepped on court, basketball wasn’t about the big stadiums and highlight plays.
It was about providing an escape, and keeping him on the right path.
“I grew up in Chicago where it’s kind of rough. Basketball took me away from the violence that was going on and it was a stress reliever,” Ridgeway said.
“I was always taller than the rest of the people growing up. A lot of my friends played basketball and I stuck with it ever since.
“Basketball was an outlet to keep me out of trouble.”
As he was growing up, the dream of playing professionally continued to grow, as he plied his trade at Midland University.
Then came his big break, landing a contract with the West Adelaide Bearcats, helping the team to land the Premier League title during last season.
The 6’8” forward averaged 13.4 points and 7.8 rebounds for the championship side, but said he was more interested in team success than personal accolades, as he links with coach Danny Morseu at the Mountaineers.
“I just want to win. I’m not worried about statistics. I’m just doing whatever Danny wants me to do,” he said.
“Ultimately I want to achieve a championship, that’s the best goal I can achieve. I also want to get a lot of good chemistry with the players on our team.
“I’m willing to learn whatever Danny can bring to the table. The guy’s an Olympian. Whatever he has to say I’m listening to it.
“I just want to get better in every aspect of my game, and that’s something he said he can help me with. Just being around a guy like Danny, I hope he can bring the best out in me.”
Ridgeway has been kept fresh with a stint in the Mongolian Basketball League, where he averaged a doubledouble, and said he had worked hard to maintain his fitness ahead of the QBL season.
“The amount of work that I’ve been putting in speaks for itself,” he said.
“Proper preparation prevents poor performance is something I’ve always believed in.
“As long as I’m putting in work in the gym, I should have the utmost confidence.”