Q&A WITH TY LOPES: Durfee basketball standout steps into the Sports Spotlight

NAME: Ty Lopes

SCHOOL/YEAR OF GRADUATION: BMC Durfee High School / 2019

TWITTER HANDLE: @tylopes_

INSTAGRAM HANDLE: @tylopes_3

SPORT: Basketball 

It's going to seem a tad strange next season not seeing Ty Lopes on the basketball court for Durfee. He's been Mr. Reliable and Mr. Effective for the last three years starting for the Hilltoppers. He's a Herald News all scholastic and a two-time league all star. A senior, Lopes this past season ranked among the area's top scorers (15.5 ppg.), routinely toasting foes with both his 3-point range and his ability to drive the lane for his trademark floating shots just over the fingertips of leaping opponents. "He has a Jazz musician-type game, SMOOTH," Durfee coach Jameson Guimond wrote in a text. Lopes proudly wore No. 25, for a very specific reason which he will soon tell you about. And he's a Twitter heavy hitter for us, his post-game interview after the Karam tourney having earned about 3,200 hits. You know the vibes.

Herald News: What person, living or dead, do you most admire and why?

Ty Lopes: The person that I most admire is Derrick Rose, he plays for the Timberwolves and could’ve been the best point guard in the league but due to injuries he had a setback. Other players would’ve given up in his situation but he has the biggest heart and shows that hard work and dedication pays off. The reason I wear #25.

HN: Who is your favorite professional athlete and why?

TL: My favorite professional athlete is D’Angelo Russell from the Brooklyn Nets because he and I have a similar play style and when its time to show out on the court he does at all times.   

HN: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

TL: In 10 years I see myself as a guidance counselor or maybe a gym teacher. Somewhere in the school industry.

HN: What has been your biggest moment as a high school athlete?

TL: My biggest moment as a high school athlete was winning the Skip Karam tournament and being named MVP.

Durfee senior Ty Lopes, Karam Tournament MVP, talks about the Hilltoppers’ impressive championship win over Taunton. ⁦@DurfeeAthletics⁩ pic.twitter.com/JkQuNj2Hed

— Greg Sullivan (@GregSullivanHN) December 29, 2018// //

HN: When not playing high school sports, how do you spend your time?

TL: Usually spend my time with friends or in the gym trying to get better.

HN: If you were the principal of your school, what one change would you make?

TL: If i was the principle of my school I would change our attendance policy in certain situations.

HN: What do you hope people will say about you when your playing days are over?

TL: I hope people will say that I was a good leader on and off the court and hopefully set a good example for all the younger guys that look up to me.

HN: What is your favorite subject in school and why?

TL: My favorite subject in school is history because I find it interesting how life was before I was alive.

HN: If you won a million dollars, what would be your first purchase?

TL: If I won a million dollars I'd buy my grandmother a house and make sure my family got what they need before I blow the money on myself.

HN: Tell us something most people don't know about you.

TL: Most people don’t know that I'm both left and right handed.

HN: What is your favorite dinner meal?

TL: My favorite dinner meal has to be tacos.

HN: What is your favorite book?

TL: My favorite book is an Allen Iverson book called “Not A Game” by Kent Babb.

HN: What is your favorite video game?

TL: My favorite video game is 2k.

HN: How long could you function without your smart phone?

TL: I can function without my phone for awhile as long as I have something to keep me company. 

HN: Whom in this world would you most like to hit in the face with a pie?

TL: I’d hit every referee I ever had in the face with a pie.

Email Greg Sullivan at gsullivan@heraldnews.com. Follow him @GregSullivanHN.

Karam Tournament final. Durfee looking sharp. ⁦@DurfeeAthletics⁩ pic.twitter.com/HQsXlWFHKa

— Greg Sullivan (@GregSullivanHN) December 29, 2018// //

Durfee’s Ty Lopes with his Skip Karam tourney MVP trophy. ⁦@DurfeeAthletics⁩ pic.twitter.com/tiC6tYBZ9f

— Greg Sullivan (@GregSullivanHN) December 29, 2018// //