Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week: Woodstock’s Max Beard

Name: Max Beard

School: Woodstock

Sport: Basketball

Why he was selected: Beard, a 6-foot-3 sophomore guard, averaged 26.3 points a game in a 3-0 week for the Blue Streaks. He scored 27 points in a Kishwaukee River Conference win against Harvard, 29 in a KRC win against Marengo and 23 in a nonconference overtime win against Indian Creek.

For his performance, Beard was selected as the Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week in an online vote. Richmond-Burton wrestler Lelan Nelson, Crystal Lake South basketball player Gaby Dzik and Dundee-Crown wrestler Diamond Rodriguez also were nominated.

Beard answered a few questions from Northwest Herald sports editor Alex Kantecki.

You’ve had a strong start to the season. What has been the key to your big scoring performances?

Beard: l’d say the key to all of the big scoring performances and success the team and I have had has been being patient. Sometimes during games I tend to force plays and shots, and it’s a big credit to my coaches and teammates who keep me in check.

What is your favorite pregame meal?

Beard: My favorite pregame meal has to be a homemade turkey sandwich with a little bit of mayo, lettuce and honey.

What is the funniest thing that happened to you during a game?

Beard: The funniest thing that has happened to me in a game was last AAU season when my teammate for IL Wolves Kris Mporokoso completely dunked on someone. It was something about his face after that made me and a couple of teammates start laughing.

You get to play a game at the park with any four players from basketball history: Who’s on your team?

Beard: Coach (Ryan) Starnes, Coach Norgard, Coach (Mike) Starnes and Coach Clifton.

What is your favorite class?

Beard: Right now it’s a tie between DC chemistry and math. Both of those teachers are amazing and I have a lot of fun in those classes.

What would be your dream vacation spot?

Beard: My dream vacation spot is definitely Argentina. It looks so cool there and I can only imagine kayaking in those lakes.

Which one of your teammates makes you laugh (and why)?

Beard: Charlie Walrod always makes me laugh during practice. Sometimes it’s an inside joke or just a little comment that gets us going, but that gets us in trouble here and there in practice.

What sport that you don’t play would you be good at?

Beard: I love football. I played it all the way up until high school and think I would have a lot of fun and do pretty good.

What is the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received?

Beard: The best Christmas gift was a hoverboard my mom got me and my sister a couple years back.