The Basketball Interview…with Jake Satter
Jake Satter went into great detail about St. Thomas More hoops and his basketball influences.
At your school, what is your favorite part or parts about game days in terms of the routine leading up to the game?
“One of the cool things about St. Thomas More is that for a relatively small school, we have a very rich tradition of excelling in so many sports. We’ve won the KELO Cup two years straight. So gamedays are just business as usual at STM. Don’t get me wrong, we are excited and focused, but we’re not treated differently and the school day is like any other.”
What makes your crowd unique? What is a memorable thing that they’ve done that you will always remember?
“We play in so many of the special events on the eastern side of the state that we only have 5-6 home games per year. With so few home games our crowd really makes them count. STM gym can get loud and heated, and visiting teams typically bring a nice crowd to Rapid City too. I’m really looking forward to seeing our crowd as this should be a very fun year.”
Who is the toughest player you can recall playing against in South Dakota basketball and why?
“Probably Sam Siganos because even though we schemed to stop him, he took over the game in the second half while playing with a broken jaw he suffered in the first. “
Who is your biggest rival and what about them makes the rivalry both heated and memorable?
“I think it would be Custer. Under Coach Lutjens Custer was one of the best programs in the state and it was STM’s first goal to be able to beat them. Our games always draw huge crowds, and I remember the first big contribution I made at the varsity level was hitting three 3’s in a row in the region championship game my freshman year against them en route to my first state tournament.”
Who is your favorite basketball player in the world and why?
“My favorite player has to be Devin Booker. Don’t make fun of me… I’m from Phoenix! All basketball players love gear.”
What brand of gear or type of gear are you partial to?
“Nike from head to toe! You know what they say… look good, feel good, play good.”
What is your favorite venue to play basketball in that you’ve played in?
“I’d definitely say it’s the Rapid City Civic Center. A majority of the big games I’ve played have been in that arena, and it’s my hometown arena. It may not be the fanciest in the state, but it’s still my favorite.”
What court that you haven’t played on would you dream of playing on?
“This one’s easy. Cameron Indoor would be such an amazing experience. Packed, personable arena with such a rich tradition behind it. “
Explain the relationship varsity players have at your school with youth players?
“Mentoring younger players is something Coach Hollenbeck is very serious about. Besides some camps and joint workouts where the varsity players do teaching, we are responsible for showing the younger guys how to work and act like a Cavalier. Coach’s primary request for us is to leave the program in better shape than we found it in; this is the best way to do so.”
Best coaching advice you’ve received is what and who was it from?
“This one has to go to my dad. I’ve learned countless things from Coach Hollenbeck that I will forever be grateful for, but my dad’s advice is what got me into Coach’s program in the first place. My dad gets 100% of the credit for my jumpshot. From a young age, I was that kid who wasn’t even allowed to shoot 3’s until I was strong enough to shoot them with proper rise-up jumpshot form. This wasn’t until late in middle school. I had to start shooting around from only in the paint and work my way out as I got stronger. Best thing I could’ve possibly done.”
Who is your basketball influence?
“I honestly don’t have any specific players that I try to emulate. I really try to make the most out of my own abilities and always improve in my own way. I don’t really care to be like anybody else. However, if I had to pick a player I’d say either JJ Redick, Kyle Korver, or any other sharpshooter like that.”