Soon after he started walking, Andrew Duckett was playing basketball.

That’s why Duckett can’t give up the sport, despite signing to play college football next fall at Eastern Michigan University.

“I’ve always played basketball,” said Duckett. “I love basketball. I like to play all the sports.”

Brandywine boys basketball coach Nathan Knapp sure glad that Duckett is more than a one-sport athlete.

Duckett has been on the varsity for three years and started for two of those years.

He’s become a very valuable member of the team.

Even outside of games.

“He means a lot to us,” Knapp said. “He’s a positive leader. When he went on college visits (for football) practices were flat. When he’s there, the energy is there. He’s our spark and top defensive player. Duckett plays hard every night. He’s everything. He’s a great kid.”

Led by Duckett’s contributions, Brandywine has equalled its win total (10) from the last two years combined.

Duckett, 6-2, is averaging 11 points and eight rebounds a game. He’s coming off of a 16-point, six rebound performance last Saturday against Bridgman. A game won by the B.C.S. Athletic Conference West Division champion Bees, 64-58.

“We fought hard the entire game,” Duckett said. “It stinks to come up short. We’ve just got to eliminate those turnovers at the end and finish out games. I fault myself for two key turnovers in the last quarter.”

Knapp, whose team led 56-54 with 2:49 remaining, thought Duckett was a big reason the Bobcats were in position to win the game.

“(Duckett) had his hands full all night and he did a great job,” Knapp said. “We had to put him on (Nick) Knowlton and Knowlton’s a tough ball player, who’s quick. To score 16 is a positive when you have to guard someone like Knowlton.”

“I definitely focus on defense more than anything,” Duckett said. “I always guard the other team’s best player. That’s what I put my energy into. If my offense comes, it comes, if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”

Bridgman found out like many other teams that you better not overlook Duckett’s offensive skills.

“My shooting has improved,” Duckett said. “My freshman year I only drove and was a post player. Last year, I started shooting 3’s a little bit more and this year I shoot even more 3’s and shoot 3’s better. My mid-range game has also gotten a little bit better.”

Duckett, who won a state title in track last year in the 300-meter hurdles, takes his role as basketball team captain (along with Austin Knapp and Zach Schmdit) seriously.

“I just want to bring a spark,” he said. “I want to make sure everyone is upbeat as much as possible.”

It’s hard to replace that kind of attitude.