Dennis Semrau covers prep sports for 100.5 ESPN and ESPNWisconsin.com
Sam Close, Middleton High School
Year: Senior.
Sports: Basketball, football.
Sports highlights: Sam is a two-time letterwinner and in his first year as a starter in basketball as a shooting guard. He is averaging 12 points per game and has served as a team game captain his senior season. He averaged 5.9 points per game as a reserve as a junior.
He is a two-time letterwinner and a two-year starter in football as a wide receiver and also returned punts and kickoffs. As a senior, he earned All-Big Eight Conference honorable mention recognition as a wide receiver, finishing with 16 catches for 170 yards and one touchdown, and he returned a punt for a touchdown. He also received a Football Academic Award for High Honors as a senior.
Pre-game ritual or superstition: I shoot for 15 minutes and stretch for 15 minutes while listening to music.
Cumulative GPA: 3.75.
Favorite subject/class: Mathematics.
Favorite teacher: Mr. Simon (Physics).
Quick quote: “Competing in sports has taught me to learn from my mistakes, to always look forward and about teamwork.
Three words to describe me are: Unselfish, kind, generous.
I got my start in sports: I’ve had a basketball in my hands since before I could remember. I started competing in basketball in kindergarten and football in fourth grade.
I wish I could compete in: Track and field.
My most memorable moments in sports: Winning the 10-year-old Cal Ripken baseball state tournament.
I like about high school sports: Playing with my friends and playing for my high school.
I enjoy playing basketball because: I get to compete with my friends every day.
Advice: “Get better every day and don’t take it for granted, it goes by fast.”
My role model is: My dad, Gary.
Most inspirational teammate: Brogan Brunker.
My family also includes: My mom, Kellie, and sister, Ellen.
Words to live by: “Shooters Shoot.”
Favorite athlete: Nick Foles.
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite opponent: Madison Memorial.
Favorite movie: ‘The Interview’.
Favorite show: ‘Spongebob’.
Favorite fast food place and/or restaurant: Chick-Fil-A.
Favorite facility/site to compete in: Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee.
Favorite food: My mom’s sesame chicken.
Favorite place to visit: My bed.
Favorite sport on TV: College basketball.
I want to visit: Japan.
Top three favorite songs: ‘Going Bad’ by Meek Mill; ‘Dedicate’ by Lil Wayne; ‘Mistletoe’ by Justin Bieber.
Primary news source: Twitter.
Favorite website: Netflix.
I drive: A Porsche Cayenne.
Dream car: A Porsche 911.
I can’t live without: Basketball.
I like Middleton High School because: You have a lot of freedom but there are great academics to help prepare you for college.
If I could change anything: The outcome of the 2015 NCAA Division I basketball championship game.
I wish we could play: Mount Horeb.
I wish I could meet: Post Malone.
Dream gift: A trip to Japan.
Preferred brand of shoe: Nike.
My perfect day: Hanging out with friends and playing basketball.
I like to read: Percy Jackson series.
This and that: Member of Football Leadership club … member of Key Club freshman year … volunteer work includes Middleton youth basketball camps, Special Olympics basketball, Conquer Chiari fund-raiser, Middleton Outreach Ministry (MOM) Winter Warmth program … member of High Honor Roll throughout high school … played AAU basketball with the Wisconsin Bluebirds since sixth grade.
Hobbies: Playing sports, being with friends.
Post-high school plans: Attend college to study sports management or sports marketing and hopefully play basketball.
Did you know? I was born in Iowa City, Iowa where my dad was coaching basketball, and we moved to Madison when I was three years old.
Career goal: Coaching college or high school basketball or working in a sports-related field.