By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
Name: Bennett Schuster
Parents: David and Kari Schuster
Activity: Basketball
Twitter: @BennyBooster10
Bennett Schuster is a senior on the Ashwaubenon basketball team.
He is nicknamed ‘Booster’ after his aunt started referring to him as that a few years ago – it rhymes with his last name.
Schuster enjoys Netflix for the suspense shows and likes to listen to pop music when time allows.
You have a grade-point average of over 4.0 – how does it come so easy for you? “I wish there was a simple answer to that question. I’ve been lucky enough to have the genes to allow me to catch on to things quickly. I am always focused in school and I always do my homework right away. I think of school as a competition to get good grades, so that is why I try as hard as I do. I am very fortunate.”
What is your most embarrassing moment ever in basketball? “It happened this season against Pulaski on the road. I entered the game towards the end of the first half and within only a few seconds, I ended up turning the ball over because of a travel. We were breaking a press and Chris (Morgan) threw it to me in perfect stride for what would have been a wide-open layup, but the ball got stuck on my hip and I couldn’t get it out of my hands to dribble.”
Talk about your family and how they’ve influenced you? “My parents have always told me to play aggressively. My mom always said ‘get in there,’ meaning she wanted me to get rebounds more often. My dad and I have played basketball in the driveway and he told me to always face the basket every time I catch the ball. Outside of basketball, my parents haven’t been harsh on me to get all A’s but have told me to always try my best.”
What is your most memorable moment? “My freshman year against Notre Dame at home. Someone passed the ball and a guard on the other team stole it. He was dribbling down the court with no one in front of him. I hustled behind him and had a chase-down block. I swatted the ball against the backboard right after it left his hands, and everyone went wild.”
Talk about Coach Karcz. “I really like the mindset he has when coaching – that talent does not always win games. He helps find a role for everyone on the team. I enjoy his passion on the sideline when he is coaching. With everything he has going on, he takes time to check in with me ever since I injured my shoulder.”
What is one thing that other teammates or coaches don’t know about you? “I excel in mathematics and sometimes go to math team competitions. In September, I scored the second highest out of all the competitors and got a runner-up medal.”
What are your college aspirations? “I will be attending either UW-Milwaukee or UW-Madison. I want to study computer science and possibly mathematics as well.”
Cats or Dogs? “Dogs.”
Which do you prefer, a.m. or p.m.? “I am not much of a morning person, so I prefer p.m.”
What are three places you’d love to visit in the world? “Los Angeles, London, Italy.”
What is your favorite college basketball team? “The Wisconsin Badgers. I still reminisce about the great teams they had when they went to back-to-back Final Fours.”
What is your favorite basketball move in a game? “My favorite basketball move is the (John) Stockton layup from the left side (using your right hand).”
A triple-double, a 50-point game or a big win over a rival? “Big win over a rival. Everyone collectively doing their job is rewarding. You practice long all week in preparation for an opponent, and when you do things right, it feels great.”
Favorites
Food: Burrito
Subject: Math
Color: Blue
TV Show: “Friends”
Season: Summer