JEFF FIELDER Editor
SCOTTSBLUFF – Quentin Scott, a senior at Scottsbluff High School, has been named Nspire Today!’s Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. He competed in basketball as a guard, and he helped the Bearcats qualify for the Nebraska state tournament, where they beat Alliance in the first round before suffering a heartbreaking loss in the semifinal round. He also was planning to play soccer this spring, but the spring sports season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Also at school, he participated in DECA. Outside of school, he’s part of the youth group at St. Agnes Catholic Church. After he graduates from high school, Scott plans to attend WNCC for two years before transferring to Arizona State University, where he wants to pursue a business degree. His parents are David and Allison Cushing. For being named an Athlete of the Week, Quentin will receive a gift card for a free drink at Scooter’s Coffee.
Q: Describe how you thought this past basketball season went overall for the Bearcats.
SCOTT: “Overall, I thought it went pretty well. We made it to the state tournament and won our first game, but then we came up short in the semifinals. We wanted to win a state championship, but we fell a little short of that.”
Q: What were your individual goals coming into the season?
SCOTT: “I just wanted to be a team player and do whatever was called upon me to make our team better and help us get to where we needed to be.”
Q: What do you feel were the keys to Scottsbluff’s success this season?
SCOTT: “Definitely our team bonding. We all grew up together, and we all knew how each other liked to play and who our key players were. So, I think that helped us a lot.”
Q: There were seven seniors on the team. Talk about how special that group was.
SCOTT: “I hang out with those guys pretty much every day. We’ve known each other since about second grade. It’s been fun playing basketball and doing other sports together and just hanging out with each other. To me, they are a special group.”
Q: How much progress do you feel like you’ve made in basketball in the last year or two?
SCOTT: “I’ve grown up always working on my shot, but I’m mostly a pass-first person. So, I feel like I’ve become better at helping to make my teammates better and finding the open person and getting them a good shot.”
Q: What’s your favorite memory from this past season?
SCOTT: “Definitely the Cheyenne Central game, when we went into double overtime. They were ranked the number one team in Wyoming at the time, so beating them was awesome.”
Q: Has basketball always been your favorite sport?
SCOTT: “Yes, for sure. I grew up playing it. I’ve always had a basketball hoop outside my house, and whenever it’s nice out, I’ll go out and shoot and play with friends.”
Q: How much does soccer mean to you?
SCOTT: “My sophomore year was my first year ever playing soccer. Coach Rock wanted me to come out, so I decided to play. I was a little iffy at first, but then I really got attached to it. Me and a couple of my buddies decided to play, and we really enjoyed it. It was fun.”
Q: Did your junior season of soccer go even better than your sophomore season?
SCOTT: “Yes. I got more used to the game – I understood it a lot more than I did my sophomore year – so that really helped. I really enjoyed my junior year.”
Q: How much were you looking forward to your senior year of soccer?
SCOTT: “This year probably would have been my best year. I was really trying to help our team make it to the state soccer tournament.
Q: What position do you play in soccer?
SCOTT: “I was a striker.”
Q: When you found out the season was cancelled because of the coronavirus, what went through your mind?
SCOTT: “I felt for the players whose only sport they played was soccer. I was also disappointed at the fact that I would never get to play another high school sport again.”
Q: Do you think there’s a life lesson to be learned with what’s happened?
SCOTT: “Yes, definitely. Don’t take anything for granted because you never know when the last time is you’ll step on the field to compete.”
Q: Are you sad that your high school career is about over, or are you excited to start college?
SCOTT: “I have mixed emotions about it. I’m excited that we’re pretty much done, but I hate the fact that I don’t get to see any of my teachers or classmates [because of the coronavirus]. It’s tough to know that I might not see some of them again.”
Q: You said you’re also involved in DECA. How did that go this year?
SCOTT: “Well, state DECA was supposed to be a week after state basketball, but [because of the COVID-19 outbreak], that got cancelled, and since then we really haven’t been able to do anything else for it.”
Q: How much did you enjoy being involved in DECA?
SCOTT: “Our teachers were very influential. They taught us a lot, and since I’m going into the business field, I learned a lot of things that I’ll be able to use later in life.”
Q: Why did you decide to go to WNCC?
SCOTT: “I’m going to stay around here to get used to the college life. I like that WNCC is close to home, and a lot of my friends are staying here. I’ll be able to watch them play in their sport at WNCC, so that will be cool.”
Q: After WNCC, you said you plan to attend Arizona State. Why Arizona State?
SCOTT: “I’ve always liked Arizona, and I think the college there is really nice. Also, it’s warm there.”
Q: What got you interested in wanting to pursue a business degree?
SCOTT: “Accounting is what I want to go into. I really liked the accounting class I was in. I like dealing with all those numbers.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
SCOTT: “I like to go out to [Jack Darnell’s] house to play basketball on his basketball court. I also like going to Lake Minatare in the summer.”
Q: Do you have any other hobbies or interests?
SCOTT: “I like hanging out with my family. That means a lot to me.”
Q: During your educational career, which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence on you?
SCOTT: “Definitely Mr. [Derek] Deaver. He helped me my freshman year and has believed in me ever since. He taught me a lot in my business classes.”
Q: What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?
SCOTT: “I’ll like all of them, but definitely country is number one.”
Q: Do you have a favorite professional athlete?
SCOTT: “I would say Steph Curry. He’s someone I look up to.”
Q: Were you pretty disappointed that March Madness got cancelled?
SCOTT: “Oh, yes, for sure. That’s one of the best times of the year, making brackets with my friends. I was sad that was cancelled.”
Q: Who did you think was going to win the championship?
SCOTT: “I really wanted Duke to win – they’re my favorite team – but I thought Kansas would probably win it.”
Q: Do you have any big plans for this summer?
SCOTT: “This is my last high school summer, so I just want to live it up and have fun.”
Q: Name one person who you think is a big difference-maker in the Scottsbluff community.
SCOTT: “I would say Jasiya DeOllos because he’s a great athlete, but he’s an even better person.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
SCOTT: “Definitely Ole.”
Q: What do you like to order there?
SCOTT: “Cheese quesadilla.”
Q: What do you think is the coolest attraction in the WyoBraska region?
SCOTT: “I would say either the Monument or Chimney Rock.”
Q: Do you like living in Scottsbluff?
SCOTT: “I do enjoy this area. I like how everyone kind of knows each other, and everyone is close and friendly with each other around here.”
Q: What are your three favorite apps on your cell phone?
SCOTT: “Snapchat, TikTok, and Twitter.”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to one business in Scottsbluff, which one would it be and why?
SCOTT: “It would have to be Aulick Leasing. That’s where my dad works. They’ve shown a lot of love for our basketball program.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
SCOTT: “Yes, I have a younger sister, Sophia Cushing. She’s in seventh grade.”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC – American Family Insurance, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865.
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
