The Basketball Interview…with Montel Carlow

At your school, what is your favorite part or parts about game days in terms of the routine leading up to the game? “My favorite part game days are when my coach comes walking into the locker room and gives us this big motivational speech, and it pumps the whole team up! Then we run out the locker room and all of our fans scream, and cheer! It's an amazing feeling!” What makes your crowd unique? What is a memorable thing that they’ve done that you will always remember? “Our crowd is awesome! I love everything about them! They make the game fun, and win or lose they're always gonna be by our side!” Who is the toughest player you can recall playing against in North Dakota basketball and why? “Peyton Gabrielson!! He is really talented, and every time we played him, he was ready! He was so hard to stop! Once he found his rhythm he was automatic.” Who is your biggest rival and what about them makes the rivalry both heated and memorable? “It would be either Standing Rock or Shiloh! I really think it's Shiloh, because they've beaten us in the region championship the past 2 years! They're a great team and so are we, so this year will be memorable!” Who is your favorite basketball player in the world and why? “Derrick Rose, because I love the way he plays! He's athletic, strong, and knows the game of basketball. I've been watching him since he was drafted into the league.” What brand of gear or type of gear are you partial to? “I prefer Jordan or Under Armor! They're so comfortable to wear, and I've been wearing Jordan and under armor since I was a kid.” What is your favorite venue to play basketball in that you’ve played in? “I loved playing in the Civic Center in Bismarck! It felt like I was playing in the NBA, and I'm really hoping we play there for regionals!” What court that you haven’t played on would you dream of playing on? “I want to play on the court where the state tournament is being held at! It's always been a dream of mine to play in state.” Explain the relationship varsity players have at your school with youth players? “We're like family, We're all close! All the youth players look up to us and we're setting a good example.” Best coaching advice you’ve received is what and who was it from? “No matter who you're playing, play your hardest! Never quit! Jeff Brandt always says this to us before we play.” Who is your basketball influence? “Living on the reservation, it's the only thing we could do, and I love the game of basketball! Also my dad taught me a lot about the game and he's always pushed me to do my best.”