Ryder Waggoner’s basketball journey began in grade seven when he first picked up a ball in his hometown of Dauphin. From the start, his passion for the game was undeniable.
When he graduated from elementary school and moved on to Dauphin Regional Comprehensive Secondary School (DRCSS), Ryder set his sights on making the junior varsity boys' basketball team. However, the road wasn’t easy—he didn’t crack the main roster at tryouts. Instead of letting that setback define him, Ryder embraced the challenge and joined the practice squad, determined to prove himself.
Fueled by relentless work ethic and unwavering dedication, Ryder spent months honing his skills, waiting for his opportunity. His perseverance paid off. After spending the first two-thirds of the season on the practice roster, Ryder earned a well-deserved promotion to the main team—a testament to his resilience and love for the game.
"Yeah, that felt great," said Waggoner. "Putting all that work and seeing it pay off, such an amazing feeling."
Starting as a practice player, Waggoner developed into an impact player and helped Dauphin qualify for the provincial championships, his debut chance to shine on the provincial stage.
"It was pretty nerve-racking at the start, going up against some of the best basketball players in the province," said Waggoner. "Once you got on the court, however, you didn't feel those nerves anymore. Just a very cool experience."
Ryder faced a tough choice in grade 10, stepping away from basketball for a season. But as his junior varsity eligibility came to an end, he knew the game was still calling his name. Determined to make his comeback, he pushed himself harder than ever—and when grade 11 rolled around, he earned a spot on the varsity boys' team.
The moment he stepped back on the court, he knew he was right where he belonged.
"It felt amazing to be back, I missed it so much," continued Waggoner. "I was very anxious to get back on the court with the guys."
The Dauphin star is back with the varsity boys' team this season and what a year it's been. Dauphin continues to roll as one of the top teams in the province at the 'AAA' classification, currently ranked sixth as of last week's rankings.
Dauphin has shown that they can stick with any team in the province offensively while being committed to locking down defensively and Waggoner is a big part of the team's winning culture.
"The boys have put in so much work over the years and it's paying off for us," commented Waggoner. "It's so great to be a part of a team that is so dedicated. We're all working towards one common goal."
Waggoner has put together several all-star games throughout the season. In a game against Fisher Branch at the Ste. Rose tournament, Waggoner had 12 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks. Then at the Pembina Trails Collegiate tournament, Ryder was named player of the game in the team's win against Springfield after a monster performance, consisting of 14 points, 21 rebounds, and seven blocks.
Over the weekend, Ryder had 10 points, 14 rebounds, four steals, and four blocks in a victory against St. Maurice. Hosting the Clipper Classic at the DRCSS, Dauphin advanced to the final where they downed Neepawa, 88-80, to defend their home court successfully.
"It was super cool to win on our home court. The gym was packed with fans cheering for us, so it was nice to get the job done for them," offered Waggoner.
In the finals, Ryder had another monster game. He scored 16 points, paired with an incredible 26 rebounds, and two steals. Following the game, he was named a tournament all-star.
"That's so cool, it was my first basketball trophy, so it's something that I will cherish forever."
Jaxon Larocque was also named a tournament all-star while Nick Hudyma was named the tournament's most valuable player. Hudyma had 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists in the final against Neepawa, while Larocque had 15 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks.
With Saturday's championship, Dauphin has two titles this season while finishing in the top three in every event. As Dauphin will look to climb up the rankings leading to the provincial qualifiers, Ryder believes this is an extremely special group, capable of amazing things.
"It all starts with our work ethic and chemistry," ended Waggoner. "We're an extremely tight-knit group. We connect very well as a group."
Ryder Waggoner, a grade 12 basketball star from Dauphin is making the most of his senior season wearing the Green & White.
