By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
Name: John Edinger
Parents: Tina and Bruce Edinger
Activity: Basketball
Twitter: @johnedinger5
John Edinger is a senior guard that is averaging double figures in points per game on the Phantoms basketball team.
Devin Booker and Kam Chancellor are his favorite athletes.
One thing you might not know about John is that he likes to dip his hamburgers and hot dogs in applesauce.
What is it like to be a leader on the basketball team? “It’s awesome. I love the guys we have on our team. We’re a competitive group who wants to win. On top of that, we get along well as a team. It should make for an exciting season.”
What is your most embarrassing moment ever in basketball? “In Shawano, my sophomore year, we got on a run early in the game. I got on a wide-open fast break and missed a dunk. I didn’t see the floor for the rest of the half. Another time when we played Luxemburg-Casco at the Kress Center my sophomore year, I forgot my uniform, so I wore our extra jersey (No. 54) and some junior varsity shorts.”
How many years have you been involved in basketball? “I’ve been playing from right around kindergarten, because I’d go head-to-head with my older sister. Around second grade, I started playing in 3-on-3 tournaments.”
What is your most memorable moment? “Last year, on senior night, we were on fire right from the tip off. It felt like every shot we took was falling and we were just out there having fun.”
What’s the hardest part about performing in a basketball game? “Making sure everyone is on the same page and working together as a unit. Once we get that down, the game comes a lot easier.”
If you could be somebody for a day, who would it be? “I’d probably be Lebron James, because I want to know what it’s like to be that freakishly athletic.”
What is your sports routine before a big game starts? “Before a big game, I like to go to Subway, listen to music and watch Kobe Bryant highlights.”
Do you have a nickname or something a teammate calls you during a game? “I mostly get called J-Dinger, Ed, Eddy Johnson or Johnny Longstride.”
Winning individual honors or a big team win? “Big team win. Nothing is better than going back to the locker room after a W.”
What are your college aspirations? “I’m undecided on where I will go to college, but I want to do something in the business field.”
What would your dream job be once you graduate? “Having my own talk show about sports like Colin Cowherd.”
What are your hobbies? “Football, basketball, swimming, video games and fishing.”
What is your favorite event ever attended? “Going to the Iowa versus Wisconsin football game in September with Jake (Karchinski) and Garrett (Kempen) was pretty awesome. Being on the field at Kinnick Stadium was wild.”
What is your favorite type of music? “I really can jam to anything. I like all kinds of music, but I’d say hip-hop/rap is my go-to genre. I think the occasion really determines what kind of music I’m playing. If I’m the one playing the music, your ears should be ready to be blessed.”
What is your favorite thing to do on your phone? “Probably watching YouTube. I can go on there to watch basketball, and an hour later I’ll be watching Fortnite or some other random videos.”
What three words describe you? “Loyal, curious, goofy.”
What is your favorite trip ever taken? “Going to Disney in Florida with my family when I was younger.”
Favorites
Food: Lasagna
Subject: Social Studies
Color: Red
TV Show: “The Office”
Holiday: Christmas
Season: Summer