Richard is leaving behind a legacy of hard work

Courtesy of The Pilot News

ARGOS — Sean Richard had the kind of basketball season that most dream about.
The Argos senior led his team in literally every statistical category except blocked shots. He averaged just under 24 points a game, with seven rebounds and just under four assists on his way to 526 points in just one season. He also led the team in field goal percentage (67 percent) and 3 pt. field goal percentage (37 percent).
It goes without saying, being from Argos, he was also a mainstay in the Dragon soccer program, making major contributions to the state runner-up team in 2020 playing with older brother Michael.
Like most siblings older brother and younger brother had their share of “competitive moments” but it was all good with the Richard boys.
“I remember we’d run from our Dad’s house to our uncle’s house about a half mile down the road so we could play some ball,” said Sean. “We’d play horse, 21, it was always a competition we were trying to make each other better.”
Being able to play alongside his brother was also something that Sean will always remember especially the state tournament run in 2020 when he was only a freshman.
“It meant the world to me,” he said. “Growing up I always wanted to play on teams with him but you can’t mix. When I got to junior high he was a freshman so I didn’t get to play with him there, but I knew there would be a time in high school where I’d get a year or two with him. It meant the world.”
He started his athletic career in soccer.
“I started soccer in the first grade and played every year since,” said Sean. “At Argos basketball wasn’t offered for first and second graders. I started in the third grade and I’ve been playing ever since.”
While soccer is a way of life in Argos, basketball isn’t far behind and Sean found himself liking the hardwood a little more than the pitch.
“It’s more of a fast-paced game and I think I like short-distance running more than long,” he said with a laugh. “I like the competitiveness of it. I think there is a lot more interaction with the crowd than there is with soccer. It gets you more hyped up.”
Richard is team-oriented in what he takes away from participating in athletics.
“It’s about seeing where you start at the beginning and then seeing how much you and your teammates progress over the year and at the end knowing that you are doing the best that you can,” he said. “It helps you build relationships with the people from your school and building relationships with your coaches too.”
From a small town, Richard finds his recreation away from the court in the outdoors.
“I like fishing,” he said. “It’s relaxing. If you get a bunch of buddies you can just throw some meat on the campfire and sit around and relax.”
In school Richard likes numbers.
“I like math and biology,” he said. “I’m going to major in community health (in college) and I’ll have to take a lot of biology but I really like all the things you can learn.”
Sean plans to head to IU Bloomington in the fall and while he’s getting pressure to change his mind, he just wants to concentrate on his studies to be a physician’s assistant.
“My family says I should try out but I think I’ll just stick with intramurals and maybe going to the rec center every now and then,” he said.
“If you want to be good at something you have to be willing to put yourself into it and have dedication,” he said. “I just hope people say that I was a respectable kid and always pushed myself to do the best in whatever I did.”