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Reitan rises to the occasion for Vikings

Beyond the Athlete

Shaun Scott

Alex Reitan’s name doesn’t light up the stat sheet for the Puyallup Vikings boys basketball team.

While Jare Sager, Dom Holub and Jay Balmer receive a plethora of accolades for their ability to score in double digits night after night, Reitan is the one who does all of the dirty work that his team needs in order to be successful.

Reitan embraces this role of playing sticky defense and rebounding wholeheartedly even though he admitted it took some getting used to at first.

“It’s different for me. Last year I was out on the wing but now I’m down in the paint,” Reitan said. “I’m battling with the other team’s big men. I know that I’m not one of the go-to-guys to score points, but I know my role. My job is to play good defense, take charges and get rebounds.”

Reitan wants to see the Vikings be a state-placer at the 2010 Class 4A basketball tournament. One year ago the Vikings were eliminated by Lincoln in the district playoffs.

“We don’t just want to go to state, we want to place at state,” Reitan said.

Recently I had the opportunity to ask Reitan a few questions about his life away from the basketball court.

Shaun Scott: What is your favorite restaurant in Puyallup?

Alex Reitan: Applebees. I love their hot wings.

SS: What is your favorite movie of all time?

AR: “Above the Rim.” It’s a basketball and hip-hop movie. I’m really into both of those things. It’s a great movie.

SS: Where do you see yourself in five years?

AR: Hopefully graduated from college and starting out my life.

SS: If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it?

AR: I would put half of it in the bank and have the rest of it to myself.

SS: If you were President of the United States for a day, what would you do?

AR: I would get rid of credit. Everyone has terrible credit and makes terrible purchasing decisions.

SS: Who was your idol growing up?

AR: My older brother. He graduated from the University of Washington and has a really good life.

SS: Who is your favorite professional sports team?

AR: The Boston Celtics. Paul Pierce is my favorite player. They have so much history and tradition.

SS: What is the last book you’ve read?

AR: “Night” by Elie Wiesel. It’s a book about the Holocaust. It was interesting book and really opened my eyes to a lot of things. It described the terrible things that happened during that time period.

Reach Sports Editor Shaun Scott at 253-841-2481 ext. 316 or by e-mail at shaun.scott@puyallupherald.com.