Showcase Q&A: Western’s Tobias discusses welding, hunting and facing former teammate
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10.
BARRY, Ill. — Casen Tobias is not fond of sitting in a classroom or an office.
He would rather work with his hands, the same hands that allowed him to score more than 1,000 points in his basketball career at Barry Western. So instead of playing basketball at the next level, Tobias will attend John Wood Community College during the spring 2026 semester to complete his welding certification.
“In high school, our junior and senior year, we were offered the chance to take welding the entire year,” Tobias said. “If we did both years, all we have to do is go to John Wood for a semester, complete that, and then we’d get our welding certificate and we’re able to go weld for people.”
As for why next spring and not this fall, Tobias had a straightforward answer.
“I’m taking it in the spring semester because during the fall you have to take it at night,” Tobias said.
In the meantime, Tobias is working mowing lawns. While that welding certificate would allow Tobias to land a job as a welder, he is not sure if he wants to do that full-time.
“It will be a good skill and knowledge to have,” Tobias said. “Next year, I’m planning on starting my own power washing business — concrete, houses, those kinds of things.”
Aside from the manual labor side of the business, which Tobias enjoys, the fact that he would get to be his own boss is attractive to him, too.
“Working for myself, having that freedom and making that kind of money were things that really stood out to me,” Tobias said. “I get to work on my own time.”
Before that, though, Tobias will play one final basketball game when he represents Western for the Illinois boys in the fourth annual Muddy River Showcase, the third all-star game he has participated in since his final game at Western.
“It’s just another game I’m able to play in before I stop playing,” Tobias said.
Tobias chatted with Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey about his career, the close friend he will be competing against in the Showcase and more in this Showcase Q&A.
Q: What are you looking forward to most about playing in the Muddy River Showcase?
A: Being around new people. Some of the people I have heard good things about, so I’m just excited to play with them.
Q: Are there any players you’ve played with or against that you’re looking forward to sharing the court with?
A: Mason Smith. We used to be on the same team, so playing against each other will be a little different.
Q: How long did you and Mason play together?
A: Basically our whole lives up until senior year.
Q: What was it like this year not playing with him?
A: It was different for sure because he was a really good player. I wish he would have played with us rather than him moving.
Q: What was your favorite class in high school?
A: Any ag class. I like doing hands-on things rather than other school work.
Q: What was your favorite traditional subject?
A: Probably history. I like learning about wars and past times.
Q: Who was your favorite teacher?
A: That would be Mr. Schaffer. He taught driver’s ed and all the business classes. He was really easy to get along with and I liked the way he taught.
Q: If you could describe Casen Tobias, the basketball player, in a few words, what would it be?
A: Competitive. A solid role player.
Q: Do you have a favorite pre-game meal?
A: Probably walking tacos. They have a little bit of carbs, protein, a little bit of everything, and it’s not like pizza where it’s greasy and all of that.
Q: What are some things you’ve been able to weld?
A: When we were in the shop at school, we really just practiced welding vertically and horizontally. We would make art pieces, flowers for Mother’s Day. Just small things.
Q: What’s your favorite piece you’ve welded so far?
A: I welded a rebar cross, and I stuck it on a piece of wood that I cut out that was a cross, also. It was pretty cool.
Q: What other hobbies do you have outside of welding and basketball?
A: I enjoy the outdoors. I love to hunt, love to fish.
Q: What’s your favorite animal to hunt, and why?
A: My favorite animal to hunt is turkeys. You have to actually work them in. You don’t just sit and wait. You have to call for them, do some work.
Q: So, you enjoy the challenge of it?
A: Yeah, I do. It makes you feel more proud of yourself once you actually do it.
Check out more of the Muddy River Showcase Q&As at the links below:
Payson Seymour’s Blake Schwartz
South Shelby’s Callie McWilliams
West Hancock’s Lewis Siegfried
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