Get to know Clay Roszczewski, the Blue Water Area Athlete of the Week

So much has changed for the Almont boys basketball team since last season. The Raiders have a new coach and plenty of new faces on the roster.

But they also have a proven leader in senior Clay Roszczewski.

The forward was voted Blue Water Area Athlete of the Week on Thursday for the week of Dec. 5-10. Roszczewski scored a game-high 28 points in the Raiders' 58-55 win over Dryden on Dec. 9.

The Times Herald recently caught up with the senior to learn more about him.

Times Herald: How long have you been playing basketball?

Clay Roszczewski: I started playing basketball in second grade. So probably for 10 years, I'd say.

TH: What makes you such a talented player?

Roszczewski: It's mainly my confidence in myself, my effort level and my competitiveness. It all works together to make my play stand out a little bit more.

TH: Who is your favorite athlete and why?

Roszczewski: I'd probably say Larry Bird. Mainly because I went back and watched some of his games. I used to base my game off of his — a lot of midrange shots up in people's face. Heavily contested midrange shots was mainly my game growing up. I also wanted to pass like him and I liked that he wouldn't back down from anybody.

TH: What do you enjoy doing outside of playing basketball?

Roszczewski: The main thing I enjoy doing is fixing problems with trucks. I just spent the last 2 1/2 years of my life building my own truck from the ground up — just finished it this past fall. So that's one of the main things I enjoy doing. My dad got me into it and now I'm heavily into it.

TH: What goal do you have for this season?

Roszczewski: Personally, I just want to be a great leader for our team and set an example for the guys that are going to be returning next year. With it being my senior season, I want to be a good role model for everybody on the team and for the program itself.

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.