Kane County Chronicle Athlete of the Week: Burlington Central’s LJ Kerr, senior, boys basketball

Name: LJ Kerr

School: Burlington Central, senior

Sport: Boys basketball

What he did: During a game against Batavia in the Jim & Sylvia Robert Night of Hoops, Kerr put up a team-high 14 points to help Burlington Central secure a 53-47 victory and win its fourth straight game.

Kerr was selected the Kane County Chronicle Athlete of the Week in an online vote.

Here is his Q&A with sports reporter Joel Boenitz.

Boenitz: You had a 53-47 victory over Batavia. How much of a confidence booster was it getting the win over a nonconference opponent like that?

Kerr: I think it’s a huge confidence booster. Getting that win under our belt makes us feel a lot better heading into the final stretch of Fox Valley Conference play. While being 16-7 is good, I think being 17-6 feels so much better, and I think it’s going to help us in the long run.

Boenitz: A lot of your success came from getting “and one” opportunities, drawing four of them on the night. What was your mindset when you attacked the paint?

Kerr: I knew I needed to go through the contact instead of fading away like I usually do. I think that was a big reason why I was getting those fouls called. When I go to the rim, the better results come out for me.

Boenitz: You’re on a four-game win streak. How much of a confidence boost is it coming into the final stretch of FVC play?

Kerr: I think our team is one of the top teams in the conference, so I think we’ve already got some confidence under our belt. But I think this four-game streak is going to higher our boost as well. And I think it’s going to be crucial for us in these next couple games, especially against tough opponents like Dundee-Crown and McHenry. But I think we can pull out wins in a lot of those games, if not all of them.

Boenitz: You were also a key member of the football team in the fall, earning All-State honors. If you had to choose between the two sports, which would it be and why?

Kerr: I love both sports, but I have to go with football. Football’s always been my first love and I’ve loved it my whole life. I just love the competitiveness and how physical it gets. It’s part of the reason that I’m committed to play football at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh next season.

Boenitz: Do you have any superstitions?

Kerr: We have a hot tub at my house that I like to use before each game. I cramp a lot, especially in my calves, so it helps my muscles calm down. I also make sure to drink two Liquid IVs before each game to also help with that.

Boenitz: Do you have a favorite pregame meal?

Kerr: My favorite pregame meal is some bread with peanut butter, honey and banana, as well as some oats.