The Times Athlete of the Week: Josie Rader a team-first, history-loving standout for Somonauk-Leland

With 357 of the 711 votes cast Sunday through Wednesday, Somonauk-Leland girls basketball’s Josie Rader is The Times Athlete of the Week.

A big part of the Bobcats’ underdog run to the Little Ten Tournament title game, the sophomore guard followed a 14-point, seven-rebound quarterfinals game with a nine-point, five-rebound performance in an upset win over Newark in the semifinals.

Runner-up Josie Eager (Marquette girls basketball) as well as Joe Ovanic (L-P/Ottawa boys swimming) and Tristan Simmons (Ottawa wrestling) also were on the ballot.

Next week’s ballot will be online Sunday, with voting going through midday Wednesday.

Here is a Q&A with this week’s winner:

You’ve been described an an exceedingly unselfish player. How important is it to you to get your teammates involved?

Rader: It is very important to get my teammates involved, because they are my best friends. They deserve to have a moment where we cheer for them. Just seeing their face light up when we cheer them on is the greatest feeling. I’ve always been told even throughout middle school that I was a very unselfish player. Even in soccer, I would pass off some shots. I’d rather have an even amount of scoring rather than having one person have all of the points.

Do you have any nicknames?

Rader: I actually have a bunch of nicknames, but my absolute favorites are Jose, Yoshi, Joshine and Doderbean. My older brother calls me Jose, my basketball team calls me Yoshi for all of the sound effects I make, Joshine was a nickname I got in third grade, and my dad calls me Doderbean.

Who have been the most influential coaches in your life, basketball or otherwise?

Rader: Definitely coach [Jason] Zaleski has been very influential, because he has been my coach since seventh grade. He was willing to give up most of his mornings to get us in the gym. He is very encouraging and wants you to try the things you might not think you are the best at. He is also very energetic and has more energy than anyone on the team. I also think my older brother Clint Rader was very influential in my life, because he works so hard, and he is an amazing role model. He taught me to always do my best and to have fun.

What was your favorite childhood toy?

Rader: My favorite childhood toy was my stuffed animals that I played with all of the time.

What would you rank as your top three desserts?

Rader: My top three desserts are: 1. brownies, 2. vanilla and caramel ice cream, 3. peach cobbler.

What’s your favorite subject in school?

Rader: My favorite subject in school is history.

What is your most cherished memory playing sports?

Rader: My most cherished memory playing sports is going over that huge bump on our way to Indian Creek and seeing everyone fly, and doing team bonding with each other.

What are your college plans after graduation? Do they involve sports?

Rader: My college plans after high school are to go to a four-year university and hopefully play a sport. I’m still deciding on what sport I want to play and if I want to play, because I love playing all three – soccer, basketball and volleyball.