PEAK PERFORMERS: Head above the others

Taylor Broekhuis was a freshman guard at Colorado Springs Christian School but grew into a 6-foot-9 senior center who led the Lions to the 3A state championship game. The league's most dominant player averaged 17.3 points, 11.5 rebounds and 4.9 blocks per game.

For his individual accomplishments, and for leading the Lions to the brink of a state championship, Broekhuis is The Gazette's Small Schools Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

What's the best thing about your game?

My length. How long I am is deceiving. I'm taller than everybody and I move fairly well for my size.

What else makes you such an effective player?

My knowledge of the game. My dad taught it to me pretty well. I've spent a lot of time working on different skills. We still do a lot of drills together in the gym.

When did you start playing basketball?

Before I can even remember. My dad coached at ECA, St. Mary's, Mitchell. I was always in the gym, shooting around on the side.

How are you a better player than a year ago?

I'd say I developed better leadership skills. And I got a lot bigger.

How much do you weigh and how much did you gain since last year?

I'm 190 now. I gained about 15 pounds since my junior season.

What did you do to gain weight?

A lot of lifting (weights) and eating real good. I ate six small meals a day. I'd lift three days a week real hard and the other days I'd do a lot of push-ups and a lot of (body) core work.

You had a home visit from the Northern Colorado coach recently. What schools are recruiting you?

I've got three or four solid Division I looks: Air Force, Colorado State, Denver, Northern Colorado, all local schools.

What do you need to work on most to become a better player?

I need to develop my outside shot. I need to get a lot more consistent, get a faster release and get my percentage higher. I've slowly moved in toward the basket during my career after being a guard when I was younger. Sometimes I wish I could play guard. It can be frustrating when you're getting double-teamed inside and can't get the ball.

What's your dream job?

Sitting on the couch making lots of money.

As a backup, what do you plan on for a major in college?

Engineering or business. I don't have a clue, really. Probably something to do with math. I've been on the honor roll the last couple of years. I take pride in my grades.

What's something you'd like people to know about you?

That there's a lot more to me than playing basketball and being tall. When people talk to me, it's like, "You're so tall. Do you play basketball?" I'm a normal kid.

If you could be a superhero, which would you choose?

Spider-man, because he's super athletic. And the "Spidey Sense" would be sick. He has these feelings when things are bad and something's about to happen to him. I'd block a lot more shots, too.

What sports did you play growing up?

Basketball, soccer, baseball. I played volleyball my first two years of high school.

What three people, living or dead, would you like to invite to dinner?

George Bush, Michael Jordan and Alexander the Great.

Who was your basketball hero growing up? Do you pattern yourself after him?

Michael Jordan. But if I had a model, I'd say Dirk Nowitzki.

CSCS had so much success and got to the state tournament the past three years. How disappointing was it not to win state?

We were so close this year. To get there three times and be so close was kind of bittersweet.

What makes CSCS coach Alan Karg so good?

He's real understanding. He's a real player's coach who listens to what we want or what we think will work best.

What did you learn most from your dad?

He pretty much taught me everything, basketball-wise. He always told me to get to the next level, I'd have to sacrifice. I was raised to do what's best for the team, not what's best for me.