2018-2019 Basketball Interviews

Jake Kapp '19

Writer Jack Kapp recently sat down with some players on the 2018-2019 US basketball team to ask some key questions. Here’s what he got:

 

JACK VOUDOURIS

What are some of the team’s strengths this year?

We have a very balanced team, with a lot of shooters on the court at all times and good size and strength inside, resulting in tons of offensive rebounds.

In what area has the team improved the most since the start of the season?

Team chemistry has improved the most this season because at first, our younger players did not know how to play with the older kids, but as the season went on the chemistry got much better.

How would you define your role on the team this year?

My role on the team this year is to bring tons of energy to the court every game to get people going, run the boards, and play great defense.

With Faris’ eligibility running out, how do you see the offense changing in the coming games?

Without Faris, our offense will change because we need other people to step up for his scoring and our offense has been a bit slower without him.

Which games are the team looking forward to most as we are coming to the end of the season?

We have one week where we play Orange, Hawken, and GA

If you could play one team from NE Ohio that isn’t on your schedule, who would you play?

Garfield Heights or SPIRE.

How was the transition from the football to the basketball season?

The transition was rough at first because I wasn’t in good enough basketball shape.

What’s different between leading a football team and leading a basketball team?

As a receiver in football, it’s hard to make a big difference on every play and not being on the field the whole time. In basketball, it’s a smaller area, and I’m on the court most of the time, so I’m able to have a much more consistent impact.

This will likely be your last season of basketball; what do you hope to accomplish before the end of the season?

I hope to show the young kids what it takes to be a good team because they have a ton of potential to be one of the best teams in the state when they are seniors, and I want them to see what it takes to get there.

 

RICKY RADTKE

What are some of the team’s strengths this year?

One big strength this year is how close this team is with each other. We all have close relationships with each other and get along very well.

In what area has the team improved the most since the start of the season?

We’ve learned to handle pressure better. When teams are pressing us, we can pick it apart with passing and dribbling.

If you could play one team from NE Ohio that isn’t on your schedule, who would you play?

I think with a full and healthy team, we could compete with Garfield Heights. It would be a very fun game.

What was going through your mind when you caught the oop’ against Gilmour?

First off, I did not think TJ was going to throw me the lob. When he did throw it I was thinking, “I have to dunk this”. I don’t really remember much else, it all happened very quickly.

Which part of your game has improved the most since last season?

I think I’ve become a better rebounder this year. Going against strong and physical guys like Jack [Voudouris] and Jake [Nordell] every day has really helped me.

Which NBA/NCAA player do you try to emulate?

I don’t really try to play like anyone in particular, but people tell me that I play very similarly to Kristaps Porzingis. They also tell me I look like him.