Out of 345 votes cast the past few days for The Times Athlete of the Week, almost half – 171, to be precise – were for Somonauk’s Alex Krejci, a senior standout on the Bobcats’ boys basketball team and recently named MVP of the Seneca Turkey Tournament.
Next week’s ballot will be online Sunday, with voting going through midday Wednesday.
Here is a Q&A with this week’s winner:
What was it like to find out you’d won the Most Valuable Player award at the Seneca Turkey Tournament?
Hearing my name called as MVP was very exciting and a little emotional knowing I am now a part of a small group when you think of all the players who have played in this tournament. Obviously, I would’ve much rather had a turkey ball (the championship trophy) to take home with us, but Seneca got the upper hand that night.
Do you have any nicknames?
AL, Stan.
What’s your favorite memory on the basketball court?
My first varsity start at the Turkey Tourney in 2019.
When did you first realize you were pretty good at the game?
I started to realize I was a pretty good ballplayer when Coach [Curt] Alsvig asked me to play in a summer JV tournament when I was going into the eighth grade. This only gave me the excitement to play and practice more.
Who have been a few of your most inspirational coaches?
Some of my most inspirational coaches have been my youth football coach [Coach Karl]; coach Alsvig has been a huge motivator, especially having him as a head coach for the past four years now; also my travel coach and now Kishwaukee head coach Joe Conroy for really helping me focus on the fundamentals of the game and becoming a student of the game more than just a player.
What are a few of your favorite movies?
“Hacksaw Ridge,” “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Remember the Titans.”
What’s your favorite subject in school?
History.
If one had to go, which would it be for you: tacos or pizza?
Tacos > Pizza.
Who is your favorite NBA player, past or present?
Magic Johnson.
Do you do anything different before a big game to get yourself mentally/physically prepared?
I like to keep the same pregame routine no matter what game it is, just to keep me dialed in and mentally ready.
The Somonauk boys basketball program hasn’t won a regional title since 1992. What would it mean to this year’s team to break that dry spell?
It would mean a lot to all of us to bring home a regional this year, especially because the five of us were a part of the loss in the regional championship to end our 2019-20 season. Personally, it would feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders after not being able to get the job done and also having a close relative being a large part of the ‘92 regional championship.