Senior spotlight: Luke Bogdonovich an outside threat for Loyal basketball
LOYAL - Luke Bogdonovich has gone from lighting up a hoop at his home to becoming one of the top 3-point shooters among Division 5 boys basketball players in the state.
The Loyal senior guard, who grew up taking countless shots at a basket in the family's basement, entered the week ranked seventh in Division 5 in hitting 44.6 percent of his 3-point attempts. He also has averaged 11.8 points per game and is the leading scorer for a balanced Greyhounds offense.
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Loyal switched from a dribble-drive to a motion offense this year and has five players averaging between 6.3 and 11.8 points per game.
"I think sometimes he distributes the ball too much," first-year Loyal coach Dean Bogdonovich said of Luke. "He always has had a good (shooting) range but he looks to make the pass to a teammate instead of taking the shot. That's not a bad quality to have."
Bogdonovich also is a member of the Greyhounds' cross-country and baseball teams and has scored in double digits in nine of Loyal's 12 games. He recently sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to talk about the Greyhounds' season, his shooter's touch and his future plans, among other topics.
Do you have a certain nickname which your friends/teammates or family members call you?
I guess "Bogs". That is what has always stuck and is what people called my dad when he played.
What has been your most memorable moment in your athletic career?
Winning conference in baseball my sophomore year was pretty big.
Loyal is near the top of the Cloverbelt in the boys basketball race this winter. What has worked for the team this year?
I think we have a pretty good core of seniors and then there is not too much of a letdown with our bench. We've lost a few games that we really would have liked to win and lost a few which we would have liked (the score) to have been closer. Hopefully we can put things together yet in the season and make a playoff run.
What is the one area where you think the team really needs to improve on?
It's the little things — turnovers, offensive rebounds and free throws. The things that win or lose games.
You are one of the top 3-point shooters in Division 5 this season. Is that range something that has come naturally to you or something you had to really work on?
It's a little bit of both. I have been shooting in the basement since I was younger until now. Working on a Shoot-A-Way has definitely contributed to it.
How has your role changed this year. Do you feel the need to be more of a scoring threat?
Just a little bit along with more leadership having lost our two big seniors from last year (Cameron Brussow and Riley Geiger).
What is your interest outside of school and sports?
I like hunting a lot.
What are your post graduation plans?
I plan on getting into the (mechanical) engineering field. I plan on going to North Central Tech and going from there.
FAVORITES
Sport: Basketball.
College or pro athlete: David Ortiz. I have liked him since I was lilttle when (the Red Sox) came back against the Yankees in the playoffs and liked him ever since.
Movie: Comedies.
TV show: "SportsCenter."
Music group or artist: It depends. Whatever gets me ready and going for the game. Anything upbeat.
Food or meal: Bacon cheeseburger or chocolate chip pancakes.