Athlete Profile: Simon Stewart

Witt-Birn senior finding scoring touch on basketball court

WITTENBERG — The Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School boys basketball team will try to keep the momentum it built up near the holidays during the next couple months on the court. Senior Simon Stewart figures to play a big role in continuing that success.

Stewart, who is averaging about six points per game, scored 13 points in a loss to Northland Pines on Dec. 31 and 12 more against Menominee Indian on Thursday in the team’s last two games.

The big man also makes a huge impact on the defensive side of the floor, pulling down about six rebounds and blocking more than one shot per game.

“Simon continues to improve his overall game every night he steps on the floor,” said Witt-Birn coach Garrett Rogowski. “He is an excellent passer who sees the floor very well. From a defensive standpoint, he is often asked to stop teams’ best scorers both inside and on the perimeter. We are a better team every possession we play through him.”

Q: When did your interest in basketball begin?

A: My interest in basketball started in second grade when the third grade coach asked me to play with them because they didn’t have enough guys. I wrestled the year before and I was really bad at it, so I’m glad the coach asked me to play.

Q: What is your favorite part about the basketball season?

A: My favorite part about the basketball season is either the first game of the year because I’m all excited to start playing games and see how good we are or all the home games because its fun to play in front of your own town.

Q: As a senior, is there anything you personally hope to accomplish on the basketball court this winter?

A: As a senior, I want to just be someone that my teammates can rely on. If it’s to score on offense or guard a good player on defense, I want to be a player that my teammates can rely on.

Q: What has basketball done for you?

A: Basketball has given me many friendships over the years and has taught me how to be a team player.

Q: What areas of the game does the team need to improve in as the season continues on?

A: We need to continue limiting turnovers and keep working on playing together on both offense and defense.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Wittenberg-Birnamwood boys basketball team?

A: My favorite memory was my junior year — for senior night, we came back against Bonduel when we were down by 11 with two minutes to go. We ended up losing the game on a buzzer beater, though.

Q: What are you going to miss most about high school sports?

A: I’m going to miss everything about high school sports. The bus rides, the games, the practices, my teammates and coaches and playing in front of my community. I’m really going to miss it all.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you are not in school or competing in a high school sport?

A: My favorite thing to do when not in school or competing in sports is to relax or play my brothers (Jack and Johnny) in a game of Madden or (NBA) 2K on the Xbox.

Q: Favorite movie, TV show and musical artist?

A: My favorite movie would be either “Major League” or “When the Game Stands Tall.” My favorite TV show is “Criminal Minds,” and and I don’t have a favorite musical artist, but any country singer would do.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know?

A: One thing that most people don’t know is that I am pretty good at playing the piano.

Q: What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been told?

A: The best piece of advice that I have ever received was from my uncle Howie (Wagner), and it was: “A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.”

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after completing high school?

A: After high school, I will be attending St. Norbert College in De Pere, where I’ll be pursuing a degree in business administration and playing football. I also hope to visit every MLB stadium at some point in my life.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Simon Stewart

Sport: Boys basketball

Position: Center

School: Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School

Year: Senior