The Basketball Interview with Andrew Rintala

Groton Area guard Andrew Rintala is back from an injury and has moved from Cavalier for his senior year.   At your school, what is your favorite part or parts about game days in terms of the routine leading up to the game? AR: My favorite part of game days is listening to music and talking to teammates. It keeps me loose throughout the day. What makes your crowd unique? What is a memorable thing that they’ve done that you will always remember? AR: We have a solid, new team in Groton that has a lot of potential. The town is excited to watch us play. Who is the toughest player that you have faced in your career? AR: The toughest player I played against has to be Jalen Suggs. He has a very good handle, has a nice overall game, and is a great athlete. It was fun playing him. Who is your biggest rival and what about them makes the rivalry both heated and memorable? AR: Our biggest rival is Roncalli. From what I've heard, the games are very intense. Those are the best games, so I'm excited to play them this season. Who is your favorite basketball player in the world and why? AR: Kyrie Irving, I love the way he handles the ball and his style of basketball. I love watching him play. All basketball players love gear.  What brand of gear or type of gear are you partial to? AR: I've always loved Nike. They always have good gear. They also have the most comfortable and best looking shoes. What is your favorite venue to play basketball in that you’ve played in?   AR: My favorite place I have played in is the Iowa West Fieldhouse. It was very nice and the lighting was good. What court that you haven’t played on would you dream of playing on? AR: If I could play on any court, I would play on UNC's Dean Smith Center. I've always loved UNC and it would be amazing to play there. Explain the relationship varsity players have at your school with youth players?  AR: Groton loves sports, so the youth look up to the athletes. We try to be good examples and include the younger kids to open gyms and to get in the gym. It has the good small town feeling between the kids. What was the best advice you’ve received from a coach? AR: My best coaching advice came from Coach Bryce Laxdal and Coach Brady Laxdal. They both saw the potential in me and gave me advice on how to be accountable on and off the court. They also really gave me advice on how to become better mentally. Both really took time into making me a better person and basketball player. Who is your basketball influence? AR: My basketball influence is from my dad. He always pushed me enough to to make me meet my goals, but not to where it was a job. He made me realize that you have to love the process of getting better. NBA. Who is your team?  AR: My favorite NBA team is the Boston Celtics. My dad grew up in Massachusetts, so I have been a Celtic fan since I was little. I can't wait to see how Kyrie develops in Boston.