Drink Up and The Jewish Link would like to recognize 11-year-old Erin Sheps as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The sixth grader at the Moriah School is “so grateful to actually be in a school classroom this year!” Sheps didn’t take the summer off and worked very hard on her game earning her the most outstanding player award at the Hustle & Heart camp last month. When asked about Erin, Chad Mekles of CMEK told The Jewish Link, “ Erin trains relentlessly, leads by example and performs in clutch situations in games. As soon as guidelines permitted basketball outdoors, her team, who won the fall league championship, began social distanced skill development workouts with me twice per week. On her own, she trained privately an additional two times. It was of no surprise to me that her and her CMEK teammate, Tali Fried, swept the Hustle & Heart summer camp awards for their division.”
Erin, congratulations on the most outstanding player award. What is your earliest sports memory?
My earliest sports memory is of me not knowing how to dribble on the first day of practice. When my team and I were just playing around and laughing, my coach told us that this is not a play date. We were here to be serious and learn so that we can start winning games. It’s definitely much more fun to win games.
What is your favorite sport?
Basketball has become my favorite sport ever since I started playing. It’s great to be part of a team and it’s always fun to score. One of my favorite things to do during the game is to steal the ball and get to go on a fast break layup. Basketball players also have the coolest sneakers and I love shoes.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
My greatest sports accomplishment is winning Most Outstanding Player during the Hustle & Heart girls summer basketball training camp this past summer! When they called my name, I was so happy and I walked up there with a huge smile on my face. It was very exciting to win the award and it makes the hard work all worth it. I didn’t know they had all of these awards at the camp. I just tried to help my team in any way that I could.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
My favorite athletes are all of the girls on my CMEK basketball team because they have become my closest and greatest friends. We have been playing together for over three years now and it’s been so awesome to see how we’ve all gotten so much better. It’s also great how each player on the team helps the game in a different way and how we learned to work together to make a better team. (Oh, and my dad wants me to add in Michael Jordan and Roger Federer.)
What is your pregame routine?
My pregame routine begins with my mom yelling at me to get on my uniform, make a ponytail and not to forget water. After that my dad tries to give me motivational speeches about being focused, aggressive and finishing my layups. But really, I just ignore everyone and try to relax.
What is your weirdest sports memory?
There was one game when my team showed up and we saw that every player on the other team was at least a head taller than all of us. Our coach just started laughing and said that rebounds were going to be tough that game.
What is your favorite sports memory?
One of my favorite sports memories is from a game last year when we were in a competitive league. The score was tied with only a few seconds remaining. The ball was passed to me and as I was taking a layup I was fouled. I missed the first shot. I remember that the gym got really quiet and that I started laughing. Then I took the second foul shot and made it. It took a moment for us to realize that we won the game and once we did, we all just started jumping and screaming. That’s one of the wins that Coach Chad was telling us would be great, and it was.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?
When I’m not playing basketball I’m hanging out with my friends, swimming, shopping and watching Tik Tok. (Maybe a little too much shopping but let’s keep that between us.)
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
I’m famous now! Thanks, The Jewish Link!
The Drink Up Jewish Link Sportstar of the Week will receive a 5% discount on their next order @Drink Up, order with https://bit.ly/321HONC or message Steve Gutlove 201 578 7425. Please send nominees for an upcoming Drink Up Jewish Link Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].
