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Charlestown's Akosa Maduegbunam talks a little trash, backs it up

Print | Comments () Posted by Anthony Gulizia, Globe Correspondent February 8, 2011 11:26 AM

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By Anthony Gulizia, Globe Correspondent

Last week, we got the chance to catch up with Charlestown junior Akosa Maduegbunam. The versatile guard is averaging 23.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game for the No. 4 Townies. The best part is we didn’t even need a linguistics expert to help us pronounce his last name – he did it for us.

An occasional question and answer feature on high school sports players.

"I'm a Player" archive

They can’t even say my name right at the Globe or spell my name, so how do you say your last name?

Mah-do-way-boo-nam

Can you spell that for us?

M-A-D-U-E-G-B-U-N-A-M

Where are you from originally?

My family’s from Nigeria but I was born and raised in Boston.

How have you been dealing with all this snow we’ve been getting lately?

I’ve been staying in – I haven’t been able to go to the gym much. I try to do a little in the house, some push-ups and sit-ups.

Have you been doing most of the shoveling lately?

I live on a big hill so I gotta shovel the whole hill.

Can you take us through your pre-game routine?

I don’t like to be early to the [game], but not late. At least thirty minutes before the game because players go through a lot of emotions. Sometimes I listen to music, sometimes I don’t. My main way to get ready before a game is focus.

What’s more satisfying for you, climbing over someone for a rebound or dunking on them?

Definitely dunking on them because I like to see the faces of the victim.

You had 25 points against St. John’s Prep and Coach Connolly teaches here at Charlestown, so how motivating was it to get the win?

It was a big boost for us. Connolly’s a great guy I look up to him as a mentor. After the win after the win, I saw him on Monday and went up to his class and was rubbing it in his face.

Are you a big trash talker?

Uh, a little bit.

You're averaging 23 and 8 a game so what do you do for yourself to make sure you’re an effective corer, but an effective rebounder as well?

Sometimes you gotta do little things to get extra points. I probably I get about 14 points ff my own miss. You gotta do the little clean up and get your own rebounds and sometimes I always need the ball in my hands so I go get the ball myself and make sure I get the rebound.

What’s the best dunk you’ve ever had on someone?

I’ve been slouching this year when it comes to dunking on people. I would say the BC High game when I went baseline.

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Several reporters and editors contribute updates, news and analysis to the High School Sports Blog.

Bob Holmes: A Reading resident (Go Rockets!) and Boston College graduate, Holmes is the Boston Globe High School Sports Editor. We remind you now that his weekly picks are often made in jest so everyone just calm down when he picks against Everett for 11 straight weeks. Contact him at rholmes@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeHolmes.
Craig Larson: A native of West Springfield (Leo Durocher anyone? Tim Daggett?) and Curry College graduate (a proud Colonel!), Larson is the sports editor for the Globe's regional sections: South, West and North, as well as a frequent contributor on the college beat. Abington to Xaverian: it all starts with the schools. Have a compelling story idea? Contact him at clarson@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeLars.
Zuri Berry: Berry attended the same high school as sports legends O.J. Simpson and Joe DiMaggio. (Guess which one is his hero.) He's a South Boston resident (formerly of Eastie) and the editor of the High School Sports blog as well as the go-to-guy for everything high school sports on Boston.com. Contact him at zberry@boston.com and follow him on Twitter @ZuriBerry for all of the latest updates.

Also expect updates from correspondents Seth Lakso (boys basketball), Hannah Becker (girls basketball), Craig Forde (boys hockey), Liz Torres (girls hockey), Ryan Mooney and a host of others. To reach the high school sports correspondents and Globe editors, e-mail hssports@globe.com.