2022 Northwest Herald Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Burlington Central’s Gavin Sarvis

Burlington Central’s Gavin Sarvis pulled off a rare double in back-to-back years, as he is a member of the Northwest Herald All-Area first team in football and basketball.

The Rockets’ senior helped his basketball team to a 31-4 record, the best in school history, and to the Fox Valley Conference title with an 18-0 mark.

Sarvis led the Rockets in scoring at 14.5 points a game and grabbed 3.5 steals a game. When local coaches sent in their All-Area nominations, Sarvis was at the top of almost every list from an FVC coach.

The 6-foot-3 guard is the 2022 Northwest Herald Boys Basketball Player of the Year, selected by the sports staff with input from area coaches. Marengo’s Matthew Volkening, the 2021 Player of the Year, and Woodstock North’s Rex White, the Kishwaukee River Conference Player of the Year, also received consideration.

“[Sarvis] is the best player on the best team by far, in both categories,” one FVC coach wrote. “Simple choice.”

Another FVC coach said, “[Sarvis] impacted the game more than anyone else in the area.”

Sarvis, a three-year starter, averaged 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists a game and was a terrific defender with his size and quickness.

Sarvis opted to play basketball at the next level and will compete at NCAA Division III Loras College next season. He answered some questions from sports writer Joe Stevenson about the season.

What will you remember most about this season?

Sarvis: Definitely winning the Plano Christmas Classic Tournament.

Who is your funniest teammate?

Sarvis: Drew Scharnowski. He always finds a way to make us laugh.

If you could celebrate with your teammates in high school after a touchdown, what would you do?

Sarvis: We’d do “Hit the Griddy” and hang out after the game.

Who are a few of your favorite NBA players?

Sarvis: DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.

What is a good sports fashion tip?

Sarvis: Grow your hair out.

What is your favorite wild animal?

Sarvis: Zebras because of the color scheme and design of their hair.

What is one of your biggest pet peeves?

Sarvis: When people chew with their mouths open.

What scares you?

Sarvis: Spiders.

If you could spend a day with anyone in history, who would it be?

Sarvis: Michael Jordan.

What is the last good book you read?

Sarvis: “The Giver” by Lois Lowry. I liked it because it was entertaining, and I felt like I could keep on reading it. It kept my attention from start to finish.

What is a movie line you and your teammates use a lot?

Sarvis: “Run, Forrest, run!”

What do you hope people say about you when you’re not there?

Sarvis: That I have a positive work ethic and that I never give up.