By ALEX ABATE ~ Sports Writer

Aaron Redecker was a vocal leader and a solid contributor for the Raiders in their National Tournament run the last two years.

Redecker hopes to contribute at his next stop as he recently committed to play for Missouri Science & Technology, formerly University of Missouri-Rolla a Division II school.

"I went there mainly because of the school," Redecker said. "It is known around this area moreso and then out in the country in general. The engineering was a main emphasis of mine coming into here."

Redecker said he wants to go into civil engineering and possibly explore bridge construction.

He averaged 7.14 points over the course of his sophomore season as he started 12 of the 37 games. Redecker looks to use his 6-foot-11 frame to make things happen at the next level.

"I have work on little stuff just around the post little shots and post moves and stuff," Redecker said. "I have gotten better with my hands, having the touch with the ball and finishing around the basket."

Redecker played alongside All-American Archie Valov in the post and knows that next year he might not have that luxury of playing with a skilled big man.

"I won't have an 'Arch' to play behind or play with," Redecker said. "I am going to have to take more of a role in the scoring department and take more pride in being a more dominant player."

The competition is almost sure to be higher than what Redecker faced in the JUCO level, he said.

"Going into 'D-II' it is another level and some of these players have been playing in this league two years and they are coming in and are going to be stronger and bigger," Redecker said. "Speed is going to pick up in the game and it is going to be faster play. That is another part you have to adapt to."

Redecker has a good attitude that is sure to affect his new teammates in a positive way, Three Rivers coach Gene Bess said.

"Aaron is just a special person " Bess said. "He came in here and established himself, and he is one of those kind of guys that makes everybody better around him."

The Jackson native averaged 20.05 minutes but he was always there per whether game it be on the floor on in the huddle, to pick his teammates up, Bess said.

"That was his trademark " Bess said. "He never would let anybody get down on themselves. He was his own worst enemy himself (sometimes)."

Redecker shows the desire that is rarely matched for the game, Bess said.

"I will always remember him as being the first one to come to practice and the last one to leave," Bess said. "And then, I knew that he was going to go some place and study, because he was taking all the tough classes."

Often times a post player in the JUCO ranks takes longer to find his place, but Bess' decision to bring in Redecker was one he doesn't regret.

"I think the thing about getting a big guy, a tall guy at a JUCO it is kind of self-defeating because I knew by the time that he really came into his own that he would be moving on, but it has still been worth it," Bess said. "I just think his best basketball is ahead of him, and I just saw great progress."