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closeBeyond the Athlete: Tveter dominates the paint for the Cougars
Shaun Scott
Cascade Christian Cougars junior power forward Johnny Tveter knows his basketball team is on the brink of doing something special during the upcoming 2008-09 basketball season.
Last year, the Cougars defeated Charles Wright twice during the regular season. Charles Wright went on to win the Class 1A State Championship in March.
“The worst part about it is that we beat them twice. They got hot in the postseason and went all the way,” Tveter said. “Our league with us, Vashon Island and Charles Wright is one of the toughest in the state. There’s good competition and it makes our program stronger.”
Tveter foresees his team getting over the hump this coming winter.
“We want to win league, districts and state,” he said. “We’re a small team that likes to run and gun. We’re not too beefy. We top out at around 6 foot, 3 inches.”
Tveter credits Cougars head coach Jerry Williams for implementing a system players can relate to.
“Coach is a great communicator,” Tveter said. “You can always talk to him about anything. He’s really good at explaining the game so you understand it. When he calls a time-out, we already know what he’s going to tell us most of the time.”
Recently I had an opportunity to ask Johnny a few questions about his life away from the basketball court.
Shaun Scott: Who do you want to be the next President of the United States?
Johnny Tveter: I really don’t like either candidate (Barack Obama and John McCain). I wish there was someone else who could be an option. Neither of them has jumped out to me as a good choice.
SS: What is your biggest pet peeve?
JT: When people talk with food in their mouth. It really bugs me.
SS: Who is your favorite athlete of all time?
JT: Bill Russell (legendary Boston Celtics basketball player). He won eight straight NBA titles. He won no matter what.
SS: What is your favorite restaurant in Puyallup?
JT: Subway. It’s close to the school and it’s always nice to get a good healthy sandwich before practice or a game. The fun part about is it’s healthy for you and you can get the sandwich fast.
SS: What is your favorite movie of all time?
JT: “Dumb and Dumber.” That movie just cracks me up.
SS: Where do you see yourself in five years?
JT: Probably in college. I don’t know what I want to study yet but I know that I want to play basketball.
SS: What is your favorite team in the NBA?
JT: Well it was the Sonics but they’re gone now. Ever since I was 5 years old, my family has had season tickets to the Sonics. I guess I will root for the Celtics now. I’ve always liked them.
SS: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
JT: Never take a play off because people notice. I heard it from a guest speaker at a basketball camp I went to when I was a little kid.
SS: What is your favorite dinner dish?
JT: Spaghetti and meatballs. The key is having big chunks of meat. It tastes really good and is filling.