Handy’s glad to add
pop to his game

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

For the past decade, R.J. Handy has been showcasing his basketball skills throughout Philadelphia.
And for the past decade, every time Handy has competed on the courts, his father has watched him with pride.
"He goes to all of my games," said R.J., short for Rodney Jr., who was named after his father. "He watches me during the games and lets me know what I’m doing wrong. He gives me pointers and tips and helps me with my game."
His father’s words of wisdom have certainly made a difference in R.J.’s game. The North Catholic High School senior swing guard is averaging 6 points per game this year, helping the Falcons place first in the Philadelphia Catholic League Northern Division.
On Monday night, the Falcons clinched a playoff spot with a 74-45 victory against Archbishop Wood, extending their winning streak to ten games. Top scorers included senior guard Lenny Young with 18 points, guard Woody Redding with 13 and forward Bob Makor claiming 10.
"I think the season is going very well," said R.J. "We’re playing really good right now. We’ve had our minds on this early. We have been working to be one of the best teams in the city for a long time."
North Catholic’s next game will be against Father Judge High School on Feb. 1. The Crusaders, currently ranked fourth, should provide plenty of competition in this Catholic League battle. However, for R.J., this showdown will be especially challenging.
On Feb. 1, R.J. won’t be able to look up and see his father in the stands. Rodney Sr. will be in surgery, receiving a kidney from his daughter Deanna.
"He’s been sick for a while," said R.J., referring to his father’s ongoing battle with diabetes, in addition to other health concerns. "I think everything is going to be fine. He is getting a kidney. And my sister is more excited than nervous. He needs a kidney and she wants to help him. We got to do what we got to do for him to live."
Despite his health battles — he endured kidney and lung failure last year, while North Catholic was competing in the playoffs — Rodney Sr. has been a reliable presence throughout his son’s basketball career.
"He has always been there for me," said R.J. "My whole family is. They’re with me one-hundred percent with whatever I do."
Even though Rodney Sr. won’t be at Friday’s game, R.J. is determined to give his old man something to be proud of.
"I’m working on being unselfish with the ball and to better my defense before the playoffs," said R.J. "I want to keep rebounding the ball, and I want us to win every quarter."
The Falcons have won 12 of their last 13 games, outscoring their opponents by 181.
Last year was the first time since 1994 that North Catholic won 10 games in divisional play, as well as the first time they advanced to the semifinals.
The successful season also marked R.J.’s debut with the Falcons. After transferring from Roman Catholic High School midway through his sophomore year, R.J. quickly made a name for himself on the varsity squad as a junior, averaging more than five points per game.
"North is closer to my home, and I’m very happy here," said R.J., an Olney resident. "I see a lot more playing time here, too. When I first came in, I didn’t know how to play defense, but coach changed my whole mindset. I changed a lot, and I’ve been working hard since on everything — dribbling, shooting, passing . . . everything."
As a team, the Falcons refine their athletic abilities for two hours every day, sometimes even more.
"We can call coach to open the gym if we want to take some extra shots," said R.J. "He never minds coming in and opening the gym if we want to practice more on our own time."
R.J. can score extra pointers from his father as well, who led the Roman basketball squad for 18 years.
"He stopped coaching my sophomore year," recalled R.J. "But growing up, I was always around the team all year round. That’s how I started. I was just shooting or dribbling a basketball in the gym."
Since then, R.J. has teamed up with several AAU squads in his Olney neighborhood. He also enjoyed playing football.
"I’ve always played basketball as much as I can," he said. "But growing up, I was really into football, too."
Over the years, football faded as basketball gained popularity with him. But when there was a chance to play football for the Falcons, R.J. had to give it some serious thought.
"I wanted to play before I graduated," he explained. "It was a dream of mine to play high school football, even if only for one season."
He got his chance during the fall, as a wide receiver for North Catholic, and the Falcons had a respectable 6-6 season.
"I didn’t get a chance to play the way I know I can play," said R.J. "But I wanted to play the sport I love."
This season marked the beginning and end of his football career at North Catholic. Next year, with a hopeful move to college, he’ll concentrate solely on basketball.
"After school we have some time before practice, so I usually go to the gym and hang out with guys from the team," said R.J. "That gives us a little time to get done some schoolwork, so you’re not in a rush when you get home after practice."
Though he’ll eventually turn his attention to college, he’d like to study accounting and finance next year, in addition to furthering his basketball career.
"I’m waiting for the season to be over to decide which school I’m going to," said R.J., an honor student at North. "I like working with numbers. I like math a lot."
Right now, he’s rooting for his father’s recovery and good health. And he has one more basketball goal before that final buzzer sounds.
"I really want to bring home a Catholic League championship for them," he said of the coaching staff, "and for my family." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com