How is the basketball season going?
“It has been great so far and it's been a lot of fun. The senior class is a joy to be around, mixed with competitive guys who will make you better. We do a good job of having fun while playing, but also staying competitive. The guys have been playing their whole life just as I have, and it's been an outstanding year. Our record (7-13) may not show that, but we are playing in the toughest and deepest conference in the state, the MVC.”
What can your team improve on?
“As a team collectively, there are a few things we need to improve on. The one that sticks out the most to me is closing out games. When we're ahead by six with two minutes left, those are games we need especially being in the conference we're in. That's a big one. Another thing is turnovers. It can kill us at times and once we figure that out, we will be golden. Other than that, I think we're doing well.”
What do you know about Mount Vernon and what are your thoughts on them?
“I don't know too much about them besides Keaton Kutcher. He is a good kid and great ball player. Anyone at this point is probably playing their best basketball as a team, so we need to come prepared and ready for what's ahead. We also come in as the favorite, making them the underdog. That always fires a team up.”
How do you feel about your substate draw?
“I like where we're at. I truly think we have a great chance to make some noise and get down to Des Moines. The postseason is like a new life for us. We're ready and can't wait for it. Assumption and West Delaware are both tough teams, but we've already beat Assumption and haven't lost a game to a 3A team yet. That includes beating Oskaloosa. I don't want to get ahead of ourselves, so we still have to stay humble and compete and pay respect to opponents. We have to come ready every night.”
Do you want to play basketball in college?
“Yes, basketball is my sport. It's the game I've loved for so long. I've put in hours upon hours working on it and at times turning down friends and others to get in the gym. I want more than anything to play in college.”
What colleges have been recruiting you?
“So far, I've talked with UNI, the University of Dubuque, Loras, and Clarke. The three Division III schools around here have pretty much told me they’re also an option and would love to have me. UNI on the other hand just reached out and took notice. They said they'd keep an eye on me, so that's good and I hope this sparks this summer with the Iowa Mavericks.”
What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“I am not sure at this point. Obviously the three schools here in the city because they’re close, but like I said hopefully that increases this summer.”
Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes, on the 3rd of February I went on an unofficial to UNI. That's it for now though.”
What camps are you going to this summer?
“This spring, I'm going to the Future Stars Showcase in Cedar Rapids. During the summer, I'll go to the UNI elite camp for sure and for others we will have to see. I plan on going to plenty of camps though, I got invited to the Pangos camp, but couldn't attend because of injury.”
Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Iowa is definitely my favorite college growing up and that would kind of be a dream school, but oddly enough UNI is a great school too as well as Iowa State. They’re all great schools. But yeah, Iowa for sure as I've been growing up.”
“It has been great so far and it's been a lot of fun. The senior class is a joy to be around, mixed with competitive guys who will make you better. We do a good job of having fun while playing, but also staying competitive. The guys have been playing their whole life just as I have, and it's been an outstanding year. Our record (7-13) may not show that, but we are playing in the toughest and deepest conference in the state, the MVC.”
What can your team improve on?
“As a team collectively, there are a few things we need to improve on. The one that sticks out the most to me is closing out games. When we're ahead by six with two minutes left, those are games we need especially being in the conference we're in. That's a big one. Another thing is turnovers. It can kill us at times and once we figure that out, we will be golden. Other than that, I think we're doing well.”
What do you know about Mount Vernon and what are your thoughts on them?
“I don't know too much about them besides Keaton Kutcher. He is a good kid and great ball player. Anyone at this point is probably playing their best basketball as a team, so we need to come prepared and ready for what's ahead. We also come in as the favorite, making them the underdog. That always fires a team up.”
How do you feel about your substate draw?
“I like where we're at. I truly think we have a great chance to make some noise and get down to Des Moines. The postseason is like a new life for us. We're ready and can't wait for it. Assumption and West Delaware are both tough teams, but we've already beat Assumption and haven't lost a game to a 3A team yet. That includes beating Oskaloosa. I don't want to get ahead of ourselves, so we still have to stay humble and compete and pay respect to opponents. We have to come ready every night.”
Do you want to play basketball in college?
“Yes, basketball is my sport. It's the game I've loved for so long. I've put in hours upon hours working on it and at times turning down friends and others to get in the gym. I want more than anything to play in college.”
What colleges have been recruiting you?
“So far, I've talked with UNI, the University of Dubuque, Loras, and Clarke. The three Division III schools around here have pretty much told me they’re also an option and would love to have me. UNI on the other hand just reached out and took notice. They said they'd keep an eye on me, so that's good and I hope this sparks this summer with the Iowa Mavericks.”
What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“I am not sure at this point. Obviously the three schools here in the city because they’re close, but like I said hopefully that increases this summer.”
Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes, on the 3rd of February I went on an unofficial to UNI. That's it for now though.”
What camps are you going to this summer?
“This spring, I'm going to the Future Stars Showcase in Cedar Rapids. During the summer, I'll go to the UNI elite camp for sure and for others we will have to see. I plan on going to plenty of camps though, I got invited to the Pangos camp, but couldn't attend because of injury.”
Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Iowa is definitely my favorite college growing up and that would kind of be a dream school, but oddly enough UNI is a great school too as well as Iowa State. They’re all great schools. But yeah, Iowa for sure as I've been growing up.”
