by 
Kade Parks
JUNIOR: QUEEN CREEK HIGH SCHOOL
SPORTS: BASKETBALL
You currently lead the team in points, made three-point shots, and are second in rebounds. To what do you attribute your success in those categories?
My success in scoring mostly comes from my teammates. They know when and where I like to get the ball. My success in made three-point shots comes from the offseason. We worked a lot on our shooting, along with quickness. My success in rebounding is from hustle. Rebounding has always been a category in which our team has struggled, and if we had rebounded better in a few of our earlier games we could have had a better chance at winning. Learning from those games, I have hustled more on the rebounding.
Last week, the team has won three-straight games for the second time this season and reached the .500 mark for the first time. What’s been different recently when compared to the results earlier in the season?
In the past we have always struggled coming out into the 3rd quarter. We have been trying to eliminate that, and to play strong the entire game. The last few games we have accomplished that, and we were able to win very important games that could put us on a streak to get into the state tournament.
Thursday’s game is against No. 1-ranked Higley, one of the Bulldogs’ biggest rivals. What are a couple of keys to your team dealing the Knights their first sectional loss?
I think one of the major keys to getting the win will be our defense. They have three or four pretty good players, and if we are able to defend all of them the way we are capable of, we have a good chance of coming out with a win.
I want you to finish this sentence: “My favorite athletic memory so far at Queen Creek High School is…”
My favorite athletic memory so far at Queen Creek High School is my buzzer beating layup to win by one point against Metairie Park Country Day over our winter tournament. I didn’t have a very good overall game that day, but having a game winner is a fantastic experience. All of my teammates came running onto the court and tackled me and it was just an amazing experience that I won’t forget.
What is your favorite sports movie and why?
My favorite sports movie is Remember the Titans because it’s a serious movie but it’s also funny and I don’t like movies to be too serious. I think it’s a great movie.
Who is one person you’d most like to meet and why?
One person I’d most like to meet would be Russell Westbrook. I really enjoy the way he plays, how he just never stops going as hard as he can, and his stats show it. He really sets an example for others and shows that if you work hard you will be incredibly successful.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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