Athlete Spotlight: James Wood basketball player Brodie Sirbaugh

James Wood High School 17-year-old junior

Sport: Basketball. Position: Guard

Parents: Jill Lafollette and Matt Sirbaugh

Hometown: Winchester

What do you love about basketball?: I love the progression you see throughout the season. I like seeing how you and your teammates can get better individually and as a team, and how you grow closer.

Most memorable moment in basketball: Last year against Liberty. [With six seconds left], I brought the ball up the court and got the game-winning assist on a buzzer-beater [by Ashton Kees]. That was a great feeling. I got a lot of compliments and it was a good win for us.

Most embarrassing moment in basketball: Last year, I was inbounding the ball. I ran the baseline when it was a dead-ball turnover, so I couldn't run the baseline and I got a turnover.

Most difficult moment in basketball: When I played sick against Clarke County [in the season opener]. I had a bad cough so just running up and down the court drained me. I was constantly coughing.

Three people you can have dinner with, dead or alive: Jesus; I'm a Christian, so I believe in him. I'd probably talk to him about how I can be a better person, and spirit his positivity to help other people. My grandpa Larry; he died five years ago. He served in Vietnam. He was a hard worker. I think a lot of how I work and how I go about my life is from him. And LeBron James; just because of his overall greatness and how he's impacted the game of basketball.

Biggest athletic influence?: Jevon Carter. He was a point guard at West Virginia. Just how he works and how he grinded his four years there ... I'm a big West Virginia basketball fan, so I followed him a lot. So as a kid, seeing how he worked and went about playing the game gave me my passion, I think. It was a big factor.

Favorite teacher: In ninth grade, Ms. Sowers, my math teacher for Algebra I. She was a good teacher and we had fun. I learned pretty easily from her.

Favorite athlete: [Dallas Cowboys quarterback] Dak Prescott. He's done a lot for the community and battled a lot through his life. He doesn't get a lot of the respect he deserves.

Favorite sports team: Dallas Cowboys

Favorite movie: "Forrest Gump"

Favorite TV show: "Outer Banks"

Favorite song: "Universal Sound" by Tyler Childers

Favorite food: Steak. I like it at home or Texas Roadhouse.

Worst thing you’ve eaten: Tuna

Plans after high school: I want to play basketball if the opportunity emerges and maybe go into medical field. I've considered being a chiropractor. Overall, the medical field is helping other people. Being able to help people, and then see them continue with their lives and do great things, is probably one of the cool things about it.

— Compiled by Robert Niedzwiecki