Freshman point guard Cody Rader has a keen sense of what’s expected of him for Geneva.
He has been entrusted to make plays whenever the time and opportunity take shape.
“You always have to be ready to step up and make shots, make 3-pointers or make that fake and get to the basket,” Rader said. “My style is to make those shots, but also be that facilitator.”
The 5-foot-9 Rader did a little bit of that and more Monday night.
He scored a career-high 12 points on four 3-pointers and also made a crucial steal, sparking the host Vikings to a 45-43 victory over West Aurora at the Geneva MLK Shootout.
Senior guard Nathan Palmer hit the go-ahead 3-pointer off a steal and assist by Rader with 26 seconds left for Geneva (16-3). Palmer scored a game-high 13 points. David Udoiwod added 12.
Senior forward Drew Lundberg scored 11 points for West Aurora (12-9), which had its six-game winning streak snapped. Lundberg’s 3-pointer gave the Blackhawks a 43-42 lead.
Junior guard Travis Brown had eight points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals for West Aurora. That performance was countered by Rader going 4 of 4 on 3-pointers.
Rader’s steal turned into a scramble before he controlled the loose ball and passed it to Palmer.
“He’s been clutch in so many games already for us and he’s just so fun to watch,” Palmer said of Rader. “His shot is so pure — I just feel like it’s going in every time he shoots.
“He already has a lot of confidence.”
Rader started the season on the sophomore team but was elevated to varsity for a 63-44 win over St. Charles North the first week of December. He scored 11 points in that game.
“He really wants it and stepped up as soon as he came up,” Udoiwod said of Rader. “Watching him on the sophomore team I could see his talent. Late in the game, we needed that defensive stop.
“He just made a great play there.”
Rader was the starting quarterback on the sophomore football team. He’s set to be a pitcher for the baseball team. Regardless of the sport, he loves having the ball in his hands.
And he loves being a playmaker, including on the defensive side of the ball.
“On that steal, I saw the ball get loose and nobody was really going for it,” Rader said. “I missed the layup, but the ball got kicked around. I was able to control it and play it over to Nate.”
The presence and poise that Rader showed in the moment validated the decision of Geneva coach Scott Hennig to elevate him to the varsity.
“His father went here and I’ve known the family for a long time,” Hennig said. “He’s been coming to our camps since he was very young. He’s played a lot of high-level sports, travel baseball, 7-on-7 football.
“He does not lack confidence. I had to challenge him a little bit at halftime because I thought he was hesitant. He responded.”
The precocious Rader is a dynamic presence on the court with his long, wavy, curly hair. He has excellent anticipation skills and a strong feel for the game. He’s averaging 5.6 points off the bench.
“The biggest transition is that everyone you go up against is so much bigger,” Rader said. “They’re bigger, stronger and jump a lot higher. I haven’t really had to adjust my game.
“I just have to keep doing what makes me successful.”
Rader already has acquired a nickname from Geneva’s veteran players — Baby Nash, in honor of former two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash. Rader has lived up to the challenge.
“With any sport that I play, my mentality is always the same,” Rader said. “You have to be a beast out there and do whatever it takes to win. It’s my favorite part about playing with this team.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.