The Times Athlete of the Week: Somonauk’s Maggie Roberts is 1,000-point scorer, enjoys history and gets called ‘Grandma’

Maggie Roberts has had a couple pretty great weeks when it comes to her accomplishments for the Somonauk girls basketball team and co-op partner Leland.

The Bobcats senior leader reached a milestone to close last year while leading her team to a convincing win over Hall in the Amboy Holiday Tournament, scoring 15 points with her first basket lifting her past 1,000 career varsity points.

Then last week Roberts was the top vote-getter for The Times Athlete of the Week honor, collecting 304 of the whopping 753 total votes cast to edge runner-up Paisley Twait of Serena girls basketball’s total of 250. Seneca wrestling’s Owen Feiner and Flanagan-Cornell boys basketball’s Tyler Pfaff were also on the ballot.

Next week’s ballot is online now (see The Times Sports Facebook page or follow @jtpedelty on Twitter), with voting going through midday Wednesday.

Here is a Q&A with this week’s winner:

How did it feel when the basket that gave you your 1,000th career point went through the net?

It was a little emotional. It’s always been a goal of mine, and with the shortened season last year I was nervous it would be out of reach. I was so happy I was able to get it.

Who are some of the more influential people in your basketball career — teammates, coaches, etc. — who helped you accomplish the feat?

Coach [Garland] King has been there supporting me for the past four years and given me the room to thrive, and I’m so grateful for that. He always invests in making sure his players are set up for success, in basketball and out. He wants his athletes to be well-rounded and driven people. My dad would always go out of his way to take my brothers and I to the gym. He’d create training plans for us and drive me to all my games, training sessions and camps. His commitment to me and my game means so much, and I wouldn’t be the player I am without him.

Do you have any nicknames?

I have plenty of nicknames, but the most common is Mags. But in basketball with only two seniors, a team made up of mostly underclassmen and my four years experience, they like to call me Grandma.

What’s your favorite memory on the basketball court?

Definitely playing Wheaton Academy my sophomore year. It was a regional game, and we went in as the underdogs and played an amazing game to end up on top.

How would you describe yourself as a basketball player?

I am team-oriented. I always want to be there for my teammates. I also like to have fun and be positive on the court.

You can only eat one flavor of doughnut for the rest of your life. What do you pick?

A simple cake donut.

What’s your favorite subject in school?

Anything history and geography related.

Who are your top three professional and/or collegiate basketball players?

Candace Parker, Paige Bueckers and DeMar DeRozan.

What’s your favorite movie?

“Black Panther.”

What is your favorite thing about being a Somonauk Bobcat?

How supportive the community is. I always have teachers, staff and coaches backing me and supporting my goals.

Do you have any plans in place to play sports after high school?

I will not be playing basketball in college. I’ve always wanted to go to a big school, and I want to put a focus on my education.