Kaneland junior Ty Carlson accounted for the most exciting moment of the Knights boys basketball team’s young season, providing a game-winning tip-in to lift the Knights to their first win last week against Morris. It’s been an eventful start to the school year for Carlson, a three-sport athlete (football, basketball, baseball) who saw time at quarterback for the Knights’ football team late in the season because of a thumb injury to starter Drew David. The Elburn resident chatted after a practice this week with Shaw Media’s Jay Schwab about the Morris game, his crammed athletic schedule and his holiday shopping outlook. The following is an edited transcript:
What’s the difference between being in good football shape and good basketball shape?
Well with football shape it’s a lot of just conditioning, you’ve got to be in shape like running miles-wise, but in basketball it’s a lot of quick and agility, and you’ve got to get up and down the court. In football, you get to reset every play.
Is conditioning a struggle or is it usually not too bad for you?
It’s usually not too bad for me.
How long did it take to come down off that emotional high after that tip-in last week?
The Saturday practice. Right after that, we started getting prepared for Sycamore.
So you didn’t allow yourself too much time to bask?
No, not too much.
Do you consider yourself much of an offensive rebounder usually?
Coach Brian Johnson has been having me work on that a lot so I’m just trying to crash the boards.
Do you guys consider yourselves to be a little bit of an underdog team this year, especially early with Drew (David) out?
Well, I think other teams think we’re the underdog with Drew out and everything. But I think we have a good chance, and I think we’re playing good.
How difficult is to be a three-sport athlete? Not a lot of guys these days want to do that.
It’s pretty difficult. Monday through Thursday, it’s a lot of stuff, but usually I get the weekends off, so it’s not that bad.
Who sets the toughest screens on Kaneland?
Probably Tom VanBogaert. Tom and John Pruett set pretty good screens.
Have you gotten to your Christmas shopping yet?
I have not. It’s more a couple days before Christmas when I start doing that stuff.
