Jack Duvel is set to lead Liberty Christian on the hardwood this season. 

The Liberty Christian senior is one of several returning starters for the Eagles this season, as they look to build on last season’s 9-21 campaign. The Eagles won five of their final nine games and only lost one starter from last year’s team. 

Duvel led the Eagles last season with over 14 points per game. He also logged over three rebounds and two assists per game. 

Q: Are you from this area originally?

A:  “I grew up in Warrenton. I came here in fifth grade. Seven years, I think I've been here. I'm familiar with this area quite well.”

Q: Was there a transition coming to Liberty Christian?

A: “I'm more of a social guy anyway. So I went to Warrenton Elementary. Then my parents decided to take me out of that. Put me in homeschooling. With that, I was home alone a lot. So we thought it would be best to try to find a school where I can be around other people and kids.”

Q: Did you kind of grow up playing multiple sports?

A: “I grew up playing mainly soccer, basketball and baseball for sure. Growing up, I never loved basketball as much as I do now. I always actually liked soccer. But, I've grown to like basketball a lot more than soccer now.”

Q: Is there a certain age or grade level that your interest for basketball increased?

A: “Sophomore year probably. Freshman or sophomore year. Basically, once I got to high school I think I got more serious about basketball. Over the summer. I worked a lot on fixing shooting form, dribbling and all that. So I spent a lot of time this summer just underneath the hoop, working on form mainly.”

Q: Is there a certain year you think your game took off or has it been more of a gradual progression?

A: “Probably after sophomore year, going in the summer, I really focused on basketball and did everything I could at my house with the hoop. Like I said,  just the form. Getting under the hoop and starting close up working on form. And just that alone has made me more passionate about getting better. But I think it was definitely that sophomore year into the summer when I think I progressed skill wise in basketball.”

Q: Do you know what you want to do after high school, whether it be college or getting into the workforce?

A: “So I’m actually taking some classes at East Central College down in Union. I'm hoping to get a head start obviously now, and then graduate and get my associates and get a degree in industrial engineering. Hopefully go get that. My plan is to go to Cosmos down in St. Peters and get a job there. Hopefully in maintenance. That would be ideal. And, yeah, work as much as I can.”