Ryan Hartung lived every basketball player's fantasy last Saturday. He scored the winning hoop at the buzzer.
But this wasn't any buzzer-beater, this beat Phillips Exeter (58-56) in one of the country's most storied rivalries.
The sharpshooter from Haverhill has two more years to try to duplicate that memorable play.
Hartung took time out from his busy schedule — he studies four hours a day — to go Around the Horn.
Take us through what happened on the winning shot vs. Exeter? We got exactly what wanted. Khalid McCaskill had the ball with time running down. It rimmed out. The ball was tipped around. It pretty much fell in my lap and I made the lay-up. I couldn't hear the buzzer. I looked at the ref to see if it counted. Apparently there was 0.1 seconds left.
Coach Modeste is never at a loss for words, what did he say to you afterward? He found it ironic. All year he told me not to crash the boards and get back on defense. Yet it was me who got the rebound.
How do you top a game-winner vs. Exeter to stop an 11-game losing streak to them? Next year make the playoffs and advance far. Senior year win a championship.
What's your height and weight? 6-5, 165. That's 6-5 with basketball shoes on.
165, do you ever eat? At away games I receive some funny comments. Some Exeter people asked if I've hit triple digits left. In the fall I was in the weight room. And now I'll be in the weight room again. I eat a lot. Especially at Phillips in the dining hall where everything is included.
Are you from an athletic family? My sister, Kasey, who is in eighth grade is a three-sport athlete (basketball, volleyball and softball). Her middle school team, St. Joseph's, won the Haverhill championship. She's applying to Phillips and Central. She's like 5-7. My mom (Sandra King Hartung) played softball at Salem State and basketball and softball at Haverhill High.
Was it difficult being the youngest kid on the team? We do have a freshman but he repeated a year and he's three days older. I immediately took on the name Baby.
Do you play any other sports? I played baseball up until this point. But I'll be traveling with Mass. Rivals AAU. I had to choose and I chose basketball.
Don't you have to do three sports at Phillips? Yes, I'm doing yoga.
Yoga?! I get teased a little. But it has improved my vertical leap and flexibility. I did it in the fall.
Can you dunk? Just this year. I haven't done it in a game yet.
Were you good at baseball? I was a pretty good pitcher. It was a tough choice but think I have more of a future in basketball.
You were honored by the State House for an essay two years ago, what was that on? I read a book, "Driven from Within,'' on Michael Jordan. It was a letter to the author on how the book inspired me. It talked about how he was cut then went through day by day for what he did to get better.
What was that day like? I got a citation state Rep. Brian Dempsey. That's definitely something I'll never forget.
You're a Haverhill guy, so I have to ask you, Pena or Ibanez? Pena!
Who is a better athlete, Apolo Ohno or an NBA benchwarmer? I'll go biased with an NBA benchwarmer.
How are you doing in the classroom? I keep up. I'm not a 6.0 GPA but I get solid grades. I've been borderline honor roll. I'm looking to get it this term.
How did you end up at Phillips? I originally thought I'd end up at Central or Brooks. One of my mom's friends said I should apply. I got in and couldn't pass up the opportunity.
What are the pros and cons of Phillips? One of the main things worried I about was not seeing my friends. But I have new friends here. The workload is hard. It makes for a lot of long nights. I do five hours of homework.
Five hours?! OK, maybe four.
Any regrets? It's a slam dunk. I really like it here. We may not have the Central Crazies but we play vs. the best competition. Where else are you going to play against Gerald Coleman (Tilton star headed to Providence).
What is Coach Modeste like to play for? He's a great coach. He gives us a lot of freedom. I like playing for a guy like that.
What's the goal in basketball? Ideally it would be to play Division 1. It would take a lot of work and I plan to do it. I'd love to play Ivy. Ideally you'd like to play Duke or North Carolina. I'm not ruling that out. It's on me.
What is your pet peeve? When people read my text messages over my shoulder.
Best advice you ever received? My dad and mom told me I'm just one injury from being a student-athlete to just a student.
If you got a new e-mail address, what would it be? studentathlete20. (He wears No. 20).
What is the most embarrassing song you have in your iPod? A Moment Like This by Kelly Clarkson.
Who is your dream date? Like every teenager, Megan Fox.
How many Facebook friends do you have? Anybody famous? 900-1,000 (actually 1,111). The most famous is Carson Desrosiers, who is going to Wake Forest.
E-T: Yes, Ryan, I've heard of him.
What's something people don't know about you? That I'm a pretty good chess player. I got into it in fifth grade.
Time for favorites: song, group or singer, CD, Web site? Speed of Sound by Mike Posner and Big Sean, singer would be Big Sean, The Blueprint 3 by Jay-Z, ESPN.com.
Favorite movie, actor/actress, TV show, video game? The Hangover, Ed Helms, SportsCenter, NBA 2K10
Favorite food, athlete, car, course in school? Beach pizza from Tripoli's, Stephen Curry, Cadillac CTS, freshman year biology with Mr. (Keith) Robinson.
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