Q&A With
Newark's
Brett
Anderson
Newark's
Brett
Anderson
One-thousand points, a
state title, and still a year
to go ...
state title, and still a year
to go ...
| Northern Illinois Sports Beat http://www.northernillinoissportsbeat.com |
By Bill Lidinsky
Northern Illinois Sports Beat Contributor
Not many basketball players can boast the wealth of experience that Newark High School’s
Brett Anderson can, or the success that has come with it.
Now a junior, Anderson has played in a whopping 84 varsity games since stepping onto the
court for Newark as a freshman in 2009-10 season, and has been a starter in each and
every one of those contests. In them, he has amassed a total of 1,180 points and 658
rebounds, with plenty of action still left in his career as a Norsemen.
And perhaps more importantly, Anderson has been a huge part of teams that have won a
1A state championship in 2011, reached a supersectional in 2010 and have posted a 68-
16 mark through this week.
The 6-foot-3 inch standout is one of the NISB area’s finest scorers and rebounders this
season, logging 12 double-doubles on his way to averaging 23.1 points and 10.7 rebounds
per contest for the 9-10 Norsemen. All the while, he’s played everywhere from point guard
to the post.
Most notably, however, he had an unforgettable five-game performance in December at the
Plano Christmas Classic. He was named the Most Valuable Player after scoring a near-
record 130 points, while clearing 45 rebounds.
BL: What are your first memories of playing basketball?
BA: Basketball has always been big in our family. We always had a hoop in our backyard
and I started up in fifth grade and have played ever since pretty much all year round.
BL: You brother Jeremy was a big part of the state championship team last year as
a senior. How competitive have you two been with one another growing up?
BA: Not really very competitive at all. He kind of motivated me when I was younger and we’
ve always tried to compliment one another. We’ve had good brother telepathy.
BL: Kind of a no brainer, but I’d like to ask it anyway. Proudest moment on the
court so far in your career?
BA: Definitely winning state last year. All the individual stuff is great, but basketball’s a team
game. So that accomplishment is the proudest moment so far.
BL: What are your team goals for the rest of this season?
BA: Obviously we want to win the Little Ten Conference and the tournament. After that,
once we get into the playoffs proceed from there on and get as far as we can just like the
past couple of seasons.
BL: Who’s the toughest basketball player you’ve ever played against?
BA: That’s a tough one. But I think that kid from Lanark Eastland (Tony Dunlap). I didn’t
personally go head to head with him, but he was tough and killed us in the Supersectional
when I was a freshman.
BL: What has been your biggest improvement on the basketball court since you
started day one as a freshman to now?
BA: Playing with my brother, Kyle (Anderson) and John (Avery) everything kind of ran
through them the last two seasons. Now this year I’ve had to step it up so I’d have to say my
overall confidence has been my biggest improvement.
BL: What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten in regards to basketball?
BA: Play for God. As long as your playing for him, you know you’re playing your hardest.
BL: Finish this sentence: Other than basketball, no one can beat me at …
BA: That's another tough one. I’d say burping, but I’m pretty sure my girlfriend can beat me
at that. I guess I’ll have to say math. I’m excellent at math.
BL: What’s the silliest rule in basketball as far as you’re concerned?
BA: Offensive three seconds in the lane. It’s kind of tough to avoid sometimes for a post
player.
BL: What do your parents get on you about the most?
BA: Probably messing around with my little brother. They think I’m too harsh on him
sometimes. He’s in eighth grade and the baby of the family. I guess sometimes I get a little
carried away.
BL: Right now you’re ninth on Newark’s all-time scoring list. You’ve got a shot to
overtake Kyle (Anderson) for number one if all goes right the rest of this year and
next. Can you imagine that?
BA: It’s kind of hard to wrap your mind around that because Kyle scored so many points
being over two thousand. Obviously it would be awesome, but another state championship
would be nicer.
Brett's Favorites
Favorite Place to Eat At – Alexander’s Steakhouse in Peoria where we ate at state.
Favorite Musical Artist – No one in particular, but I like country music.
Favorite TV Show – Friends
Favorite Class in School – Calculus
Favorite High School Rival – Seneca and Aurora Christian
Favorite Pro Athlete –I’ve got two. Tim Tebow and Derek Rose
Bill Lidinsky is a Northern Illinois Sports Beat contributor. He can be reached in care of
NISB at Northernillinoissportsbeat@yahoo.com. --- Talk about what's written on our
Message Boards!
Northern Illinois Sports Beat Contributor
Not many basketball players can boast the wealth of experience that Newark High School’s
Brett Anderson can, or the success that has come with it.
Now a junior, Anderson has played in a whopping 84 varsity games since stepping onto the
court for Newark as a freshman in 2009-10 season, and has been a starter in each and
every one of those contests. In them, he has amassed a total of 1,180 points and 658
rebounds, with plenty of action still left in his career as a Norsemen.
And perhaps more importantly, Anderson has been a huge part of teams that have won a
1A state championship in 2011, reached a supersectional in 2010 and have posted a 68-
16 mark through this week.
The 6-foot-3 inch standout is one of the NISB area’s finest scorers and rebounders this
season, logging 12 double-doubles on his way to averaging 23.1 points and 10.7 rebounds
per contest for the 9-10 Norsemen. All the while, he’s played everywhere from point guard
to the post.
Most notably, however, he had an unforgettable five-game performance in December at the
Plano Christmas Classic. He was named the Most Valuable Player after scoring a near-
record 130 points, while clearing 45 rebounds.
BL: What are your first memories of playing basketball?
BA: Basketball has always been big in our family. We always had a hoop in our backyard
and I started up in fifth grade and have played ever since pretty much all year round.
BL: You brother Jeremy was a big part of the state championship team last year as
a senior. How competitive have you two been with one another growing up?
BA: Not really very competitive at all. He kind of motivated me when I was younger and we’
ve always tried to compliment one another. We’ve had good brother telepathy.
BL: Kind of a no brainer, but I’d like to ask it anyway. Proudest moment on the
court so far in your career?
BA: Definitely winning state last year. All the individual stuff is great, but basketball’s a team
game. So that accomplishment is the proudest moment so far.
BL: What are your team goals for the rest of this season?
BA: Obviously we want to win the Little Ten Conference and the tournament. After that,
once we get into the playoffs proceed from there on and get as far as we can just like the
past couple of seasons.
BL: Who’s the toughest basketball player you’ve ever played against?
BA: That’s a tough one. But I think that kid from Lanark Eastland (Tony Dunlap). I didn’t
personally go head to head with him, but he was tough and killed us in the Supersectional
when I was a freshman.
BL: What has been your biggest improvement on the basketball court since you
started day one as a freshman to now?
BA: Playing with my brother, Kyle (Anderson) and John (Avery) everything kind of ran
through them the last two seasons. Now this year I’ve had to step it up so I’d have to say my
overall confidence has been my biggest improvement.
BL: What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten in regards to basketball?
BA: Play for God. As long as your playing for him, you know you’re playing your hardest.
BL: Finish this sentence: Other than basketball, no one can beat me at …
BA: That's another tough one. I’d say burping, but I’m pretty sure my girlfriend can beat me
at that. I guess I’ll have to say math. I’m excellent at math.
BL: What’s the silliest rule in basketball as far as you’re concerned?
BA: Offensive three seconds in the lane. It’s kind of tough to avoid sometimes for a post
player.
BL: What do your parents get on you about the most?
BA: Probably messing around with my little brother. They think I’m too harsh on him
sometimes. He’s in eighth grade and the baby of the family. I guess sometimes I get a little
carried away.
BL: Right now you’re ninth on Newark’s all-time scoring list. You’ve got a shot to
overtake Kyle (Anderson) for number one if all goes right the rest of this year and
next. Can you imagine that?
BA: It’s kind of hard to wrap your mind around that because Kyle scored so many points
being over two thousand. Obviously it would be awesome, but another state championship
would be nicer.
Brett's Favorites
Favorite Place to Eat At – Alexander’s Steakhouse in Peoria where we ate at state.
Favorite Musical Artist – No one in particular, but I like country music.
Favorite TV Show – Friends
Favorite Class in School – Calculus
Favorite High School Rival – Seneca and Aurora Christian
Favorite Pro Athlete –I’ve got two. Tim Tebow and Derek Rose
Bill Lidinsky is a Northern Illinois Sports Beat contributor. He can be reached in care of
NISB at Northernillinoissportsbeat@yahoo.com. --- Talk about what's written on our
Message Boards!
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