A 47-45 loss to the Rainier Beach Vikings boys basketball team in the Class 3A state championship game last March serves as a pillar of motivation for the Eastside Catholic Crusaders boys team.

Crusaders’ senior shooting guard Max Hudgins, who will play basketball at Westmont College in Southern California next season, said the loss is on the mind of everyone associated with the Eastside Catholic boys basketball program.

“We think about it every day. We just want to be that much better this year than we were last year,” Hudgins said.

The Crusaders have put together a respectable 11-2 record through the first half of the 2014-15 season. The Crusaders only losses were to Florida’s First Baptist Academy and Rainier Beach.

Hudgins said his ability to knock down shots from the perimeter is his best attribute.

“Shooting definitely is what I do best. I think I have a pretty quick release, which allows me to get my shot off quickly,” he said.

Recently the Issaquah Reporter had an opportunity to ask Hudgins a few questions about his life away from the basketball court.

Issaquah Reporter: What is your favorite movie of all time?

Max Hudgins: “The Warrior.” It was an emotional, serious and it kind of motivated me.

IR: What is your biggest pet peeve?

MH: When people smell really bad.

IR: How many text messages do you send per day?

MH: I send maybe around 100 every day. I text a lot.

IR: If you could pick one person to go to dinner with, who would it be?

MH: Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls NBA basketball player). He’s a great role model.

IR: What is something unique about you that nobody would know?

MH: I was part of the Chess club in fourth grade.

IR: What is the last movie you saw in the theater?

MH: I recently saw “Unbroken.”