The Basketball Interview with Abe Kinrade
2017 Maquoketa small forward Abe Kinrade has steadily climbed up our rankings, finally settling in at his current No. 8 spot. The Barnstormers product is a versatile wing who is capable of scoring from anywhere and has athleticism to burn. The farm boy will be moving west next year, as he’ll play his collegiate ball at Air Force. This is “The Basketball Interview with Abe Kinrade”.
Q: What is your favorite part of game day at Maquoketa?
My favorite part of game day is the energy in the school. As a player, people see us in our travel gear that says “Maquoketa Basketball” and everyone wishes us good luck. Especially on Friday night games when a lot of students come to the game, it’s great.
Q: Who is the most difficult player to defend in the state?
The most difficult player to defend is Austin Phyfe (Waverly-Shell Rock). He’s so big that you have to defend him with a big guy, but if a big guy guards him he’s quick for his size and has great footwork that most bigs don’t have. He can kill you so many ways. His versatility is what makes him so tough to defend.
Q: Other than Maquoketa, which gym is your favorite to play in and why?
My favorite gym to play in is at DeWitt. It’s a great rivalry between DeWitt and Maquoketa because we’re only 15 miles apart, so as players, we all know each other and the adults in the communities know each other too. Both towns support their teams and the gym is always packed when we play there. Also, there is nothing better than beating DeWitt on their own floor.
Q: If you had complete control over the schedule and could put anyone on it, who would you want to play?
I wish that we played a few more non-conference games at the beginning of the year. This could be teams from 1A-4A and even from other states. I just wish we could change the record player and not play the same teams every year.
Q: Who is your favorite basketball player of all-time? Do you model your game after them or any other players?
My favorite player is Aaron White. I try to model my game after him because people talk about how hard of a worker he was and I want to be a gym rat like him. Also, I try to play the same style he does.
Q: What is the best piece of coaching advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve gotten was from my dad. He told me to never get too high or to low after wins and losses. The sun will come up tomorrow and at the end of the day, it’s just a game.