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Life after Tyus working out for Apple Valley's Korba

By Star Tribune, 02/10/15, 6:32PM CST

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Senior Austin Korba said the team felt it had something to prove after Jones left.

When Tyus Jones graduated last year, the Apple Valley boy’s basketball team lost its biggest weapon. But the team hasn’t seemed to miss a beat, jumping out to a 20-2 record this season.

Senior Austin Korba said the team felt it had something to prove after Jones left. The Eagles, No. 2 in the latest Class 4A poll, recorded their 50th consecutive South Suburban Conference victory on Jan. 30 and look poised to make a state tournament run after falling short last season.

Korba has helped bring senior leadership to a team stocked with young talent. The guard is averaging five points per game and hopes to take after his father — and play college basketball — though he’s not sure where he’ll wind up next year.

Korba talked to the Star Tribune’s Betsy Helfand about the team’s goals as sections approach, his own plans and what it’s like to see his former teammate on national television.

 

Q When did you start playing basketball?

A I started when I was about 4 years old.

 

Q You also play football. Which sport appeals to you more and why?

A I think I like basketball a little bit more because I feel like that’s kind of what I go to whenever I need to forget about something. That’s what I enjoy doing the most, personally.

 

Q You’re one of four seniors on a team that’s loaded with younger talent. Do you feel some responsibility because of that to step up and lead?

A Yeah, I feel like even with all the young guys, we still need to be able to be leaders and be able to play as kind of a model in practice and when we’re working out.

 

Q What’s it like for you watching your former teammate, Tyus Jones, on national television?

A It’s a lot of fun. He’s someone that I grew up watching and played with, and it’s fun to see him continue on at the highest level that he’s at right now.

 

Q Despite losing him, Apple Valley is still one of the top teams. Do you feel people wrote you off as the team off after Tyus graduated?

A We all felt like we had something to prove going into the season. With him being gone, people didn’t expect much from us. But that kind of helped us get ready for the season and play as well as we could to prove everybody else wrong — that we’re still one of the best in the state.

 

Q What were some of the team goals you guys set at the beginning of the season?

A We wanted to start out by winning the section title and then eventually moving into winning the state championship. We still had pretty high goals for ourselves.

 

Q What are your plans for next year, and how do sports fit into them, if at all?

A I think I do want to play basketball in college. That’s more what I’m leaning toward as we continue to play. I’ve kind of discussed football a little bit, but I’m leaning a lot more toward playing basketball in college.

 

Q What types of things do you like to do in your free time?

A I like to hang out with my friends and family.

 

Q How did you get your start in basketball?

A My dad. He kind of introduced me to it.

 

Q What is your pregame ritual like?

A I listen to music and I kind of get stretched out, but other than that, nothing too special.

 

Q Do you have any idea where you’ll end up?

A I have it narrowed down to Stout, St. Olaf, St. Mary’s and River Falls right now.

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