Falcons fly
to victory

By Joe Mason
For the Times

Last year as a freshman, Woody Redding was the starting point guard on the North Catholic High School junior-varsity basketball team.
Despite his success running the Falcons’ JV team, it wasn’t a given that he would become the varsity starter this year. The Falcons had a significant problem: Incumbent point guard Velton Jones and star wing guard Lenny Young were returning for their senior seasons, crowding the North backcourt.
Redding could have sulked. Instead, he forced Falcons coach Mike McCarron to call his number.
"I knew that if I worked hard, I’d get playing time," Redding said. "I didn’t know how many minutes I’d play, or even where I’d play, but if I worked hard I would get minutes somewhere."
Redding isn’t merely getting playing time.
He’s helping to win championships.
The 5-foot-8 starting point guard sunk a game-high 21 points, including four treys, in Monday night’s Catholic League championship game at the Palestra. He also contributed three assists and three rebounds, helping the Falcons down Archbishop Ryan, 51-45, to claim the crown.
"Woody was just so talented that we had to get him on the floor," McCarron said. "Velton likes to play off the ball, and Woody does a great job of getting everyone involved. It was a perfect fit."
This was the Falcons’ first trip to the championship since 1994, when they fell to Roman Catholic, 60-53. The last time North won a championship was 1987, so to bring home the championship trophy once again, more than 20 years later, was thrilling for everyone involved.
After the game, Redding and his teammates were welcomed by a sea of family and friends who cheered the new champions. But while on the court, Redding had to stay cool and composed — he might be a sophomore but it’s his job to keep everyone calm.
"I just try to take care of the ball and keep everyone under control," said Redding, who scored the first five points of the title game. "In the beginning of the year, I’d always defer to Velton and Lenny, but they both took me aside and told me I have to be the point guard.
"That gave me so much confidence because they are two of the best players in the league. If they have confidence in me, I knew I could do it."
Redding might be the perfect point guard for the Falcons. He has a capable shot, but, more important, he makes good decisions with the ball and shares it as well.
That’s all the Falcons need from the young leader.
"Sometimes the guys yell at me and tell me to shoot more," Redding said with a laugh. "And sometimes I should, but all I try to do is set everything up. There have been games where I haven’t scored at all, but I don’t care. As long as we win I’m happy."
That attitude runs in the family.
Redding’s cousin, Reggie Redding, led St. Joe’s Prep to Catholic League crowns in 2003 and 2004. Now he’s starring for Villanova. And while the older cousin may have more championships, the younger Redding has bragging rights.
"I talked to him and he was very proud and supportive," Woody Redding said. "He has helped me a lot."
The younger Redding will continue to heed Reggie’s advice.
Woody Redding still has two years left of running North’s offense, and he expects his team to be very good for a while.
"I’ll be here for two years, but we have some really good freshmen," Redding said. "I think we will be good for three years, and hopefully a lot longer." ••
Joe Mason can be reached at joemason70@hotmail.com