Keandre Swopes entered West Morgan’s gymnasium before practice with an easy smile on his face.

Only a freshman, Swopes already is putting up significant numbers for the Rebels. On Monday, Swopes added a double-double, with 12 points and 10 rebounds to take the win over Priceville. He averages seven points, seven rebounds and three blocks a game.

For coach Mike Henson, this is no surprise. Henson began working with Swopes in middle school, and encouraged him to keep growing as a player, Swopes explained Monday.

A consistent force for West Morgan all season, Decatur Daily sportswriter Meredith Qualls sat down with Swopes for 10 questions:

Question: As a freshman, what was it like playing your first varsity game?

Answer: It was East Lawrence. I was really nervous. Just jitter bugs before the game, and when we warmed up, I was anxious to play.

Q: After working with Coach Henson, is there anything he does that he wouldn’t want anyone to know?

A: Coach Henson, when he gets into the game he gets pretty intense. Anything he does is pretty funny. He’s got his own little dance.

Q: Where are you most comfortable on the court?

A: My defense. I really didn’t like defense, and then Coach Henson, it’s the No. 1 thing for him, so I just started getting better at it, working on anything I can do for defense, trying to guard the best player or anything I can do to get better.

Q: Did you do anything specific to work on that?

A: I always did jumping drills to get better for when I dunk or block shots. I love blocking shots. It’s probably my favorite thing in the game besides dunking. I love that feeling you get when you block someone’s shot.

Q: People talk a lot about Brandon Roberts. What’s it like playing with him?

A: He’s a great guy. He handles himself so well on the court, because he hears a lot of negative stuff in the crowd. I know that some people get to him, but he handles himself. He always stays calm. He tries to motivate us. He’s a team player. What more could you ask? He plays every game like it’s his last.

Q: With the Super Bowl last Sunday, who were you rooting for?

A: I was for the Ravens. I was a little nervous when the 49ers started coming back. The power outage, I think that was one of the reasons.

Q: If you were at the mall and had $50 bucks to spend, what would you spend it on?

A: Anything with Nike.

Q: Do you have a favorite college basketball team?

A: Alabama.

Q: Do you play any other sports?

A: Track. I do the 100 meter, the high jump and the long jump.

Q: Is there any sport you’d like to try that you haven’t played before?

A: Probably baseball, because it seems like another good sport to play. A lot of teammates play baseball.

Contact Meredith Qualls at 256-340-2395 or by email at mqualls@decaturdaily.com.