Winter Sport Spotlights
Basketball
When did you start playing basketball?
I started playing basketball in 3rd grade. Why is basketball important to you? Basketball is important to me because I love playing and spending time with friends and having friends by my side at all times. Do you plan on playing basketball in college? I'm not sure if I will be going to play basketball in college or not. What has been your favorite memory in basketball throughout your high school career? My favorite memory was last year at Madison getting player of the game. What does your team mean to you? The team means everything to me and I knows they have my back at all times. |
What is your favorite part about basketball?
The bus rides with the team and team camps. How has COVID affected different parts of basketball? There are less people at games. How has your experience been since starting basketball? It has been good to hang out with Blayne since we have played together since 8th grade. Why did you decide to play basketball? I like sports and thought it would be fun. How has playing basketball affected you overall? Basketball has helped me open up and talk to other people. |
How is the new basketball coach Mr. Feterl?
Good, new offensive ideas, and we run more sets. How do you think this year is going compared to past years? Good. We have a good senior class and guys who have been playing variety for a couple years. What was the most exciting game so far and why? Madison, we haven't beat them in a couple years. Is there a specific reason why you wear the number you do? Nope, not really. What has basketball taught you that carries over into other areas of your life? The teamwork aspect and working toward a common goal with some friends. |
If you could tell your freshman self one thing what would you say?
Don't let what others say about you get in your head. How do you stay motivated if you lose a game? By looking forward to the next practice to see how I can improve. Do you have any pre-game rituals? Jamming in the locker room and stretching before warm ups. What is your favorite memory of high school basketball? Beating Sioux Falls Christian on a buzzer beater my junior year. What are you going to miss about high school basketball? All of the memories made on bus rides and team camps in the summer. |
Who inspired you to play basketball?
Kobe Bryant. What do you like most about basketball? Basketball helps you with your people skills a lot. What do you think of the new coach this year? Coach Feterl is great. He's been a good coach, I don't have any complaints about him. He has done a good job. What advice can you give for people wanting to go out for basketball? Do it, why not? You got four years of high school, live it up. What was the highest moment is your basketball career? The first half in the Sisseton game, I just couldn't seem to miss. |
Why did you start playing basketball and when?
My family was involved with basketball and so were my friends, I wanted to play with my friends. I started playing in 3rd grade. How is your experience with high school basketball so far? It’s been pretty good because I’ve been playing varsity since freshman year. What has been your motivation to keep playing basketball? I love the game and that’s why I keep playing. Has COVID-19 affected your basketball career in any way? If anything, it’s benefited me because everyone is isolated and you can work some of your skills without being interrupted. How do you feel about Mr. Feterl being the new head coach of the team? He’s a wonderful guy. I love talking to him. He is a good influencer on me and I’ve had him all through junior high and I’m lucky to have him in high school. How confident do you feel when you have the possession of the ball? Confident. You have to be very confident, especially in basketball because you need to be confident to be able to score. I have a lot of confidence. Are you going to continue your basketball career after high school or do you have different plans? I am signing with DWU and playing basketball there. I’m going to take on education there and give back to the community. |
How would you describe this season?
I think this season is going good, but I think it's going to get better. How has this season been different from others? We have a new coach, so drills we do in practice are different, we also run more. What are you thoughts on the new coach, Mr. Feterl, this year? I think he is a good coach. He knows how to make practice fun and efficient at the same time. What got you interested in basketball? I have played it my whole life, so I have always been around it. What life lessons have you learned from basketball? You have to work for what you want, and it's not just given to you. |
How would you describe this season?
This season has had its ups and downs, but we are learning how to play with a new coach which can be difficult. How has this season been different from others? As a senior on the team it's our job this year to step up and be the leaders of the team. What are you thoughts on the new coach, Mr. Feterl, this year? I like Coach Feterl, he really easy to get along with and he knows what he is doing. What got you interested in basketball? I played basketball before I even started school so it hard to remember what got me into it but I would say watching players like Kobe and Lebron kept me playing. What life lessons have you learned from basketball? Playing basketball has taught me how to work hard as a team player. It's important to know your teammates and be able to play together. |
Wrestling
What is your favorite sport and why?
I have to say that it is between football and wrestling. I like sports that you can beat down on people, I like the physical sports. What made you want to be a coach? Originally, I just wanted to be a teacher, but once I got to Tri-Valley opportunities opened up. I had some really good coaches as a kid that made a difference on me, and I want to do the same for kids. Does being a coach affect your personal life at all? It does take time, but it is time well spent. Has COVID changed anything? It just limits the numbers, but it is going well, better than I expected. What is your best way to motivate your team? I motivate them by being real and honest. I let them know when they are doing well and when they’re not doing well. |
If you could go back to your freshman year, what advice would you give yourself?
To make sure I would take more math classes, so I could play college football. How do you balance a job and school work? It's not that bad, I live on a farm. I don't work during the school year, I wait until the summertime to work. What do you want to do after high school and how do plan on achieving that? I was going to try the marines, but I tore my shoulder. I am going to try again, but if not I am I will go to college and get a major in sociology. How has COVID affected you or your sports? I haven't been worried about COVID, it hasn't affect me. |
How has this year been compared to previous years?
We have a very inexperienced team. We are off to better start than previous years. What is your favorite part of wrestling? The memories created, and the trips to state, and having a team you can say is family. What are your future plans for wrestling? I would like to go to college to wrestle, if that doesn't work, I might become a coach. Describe your teams strengths and weaknesses. We have some good seniors and some good, fast developing lower classmen. Our weakness would just be some inexperience. How do you think wrestlers could improve? Going to camps and tournaments over the summer, or just by wrestling year round. What has wrestling done for you? It's made me a better man, learned that you can learn from losing. If you could tell your freshman year self what would it be? You have come a long way. |
What made you decide to wrestle?
I was sitting in study hall one day and Coach Bazata came up to me and said "Since I know you quit basketball, do you plan on lifting weights in the winter?" I said yes to lifting weights, and coach Bazata said wrestling starts soon. I replied, "Alright, I'll be there." What do you love about wrestling? Definitely the culture, I have made so many friends during wrestling, it’ just an amazing thing to do. On Saturdays you get to go to tournaments, see a lot of people, and go out and have some fun. Which coach has helped you out the most in wrestling? Coach Gibson because he has been a big motivator and happy for my success. He’s just a great guy to be around. How do you stay motivated when you wrestle? Definitely the coaches, they always do a good job in practice and making sure your doing everything your supposed to be doing. Who has been your number one supporter? Luke, Braydon, and Nick. They have came to a lot of tournaments and stuff this year. They are always excited to hear how I did or watch me wrestle. How has wrestling changed your life? All the friends I have made. Wrestling just gives you such a good backbone to work with and it gives you a really good work ethic. |