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.