“Stay hungry” says Andrew Gates, a senior 100-yard backstroke and 100-yard freestyle swimmer for Hempfield. The team trains to win its third Lancaster-Lebanon League title and fourth section title in a row. “Stay hungry” seems good inspiration for his teammates and him.
Individual goals for Hempfield’s team are qualifying as many swimmers as possible for “getting to states” and especially a relay team with eyes on a medal.
Sawyer Esbenshade, Conestoga Valley High School, senior
How did you first get a basketball in your hand and what has been your journey since then?
Esbenshade: “Probably my dad put a ball in my hands when I was three years old. Starting playing upward.”
How many siblings do you have and how has that impacted you as a player?
Kaylina Bansal competes for McCaskey swim team as a student at Lancaster Country Day School under a cooperative between the two schools.
Kaylina specializes in a long-distance race, 500-yard freestyle, though she is flexible for other races, especially relays, should her coach ask of her.
Since elementary school, Kaylina has swum for the 5 Star Swim Club Team at Lititz Rec Center. And in the summers, she swims for Skyline Pool’s swim team.
Ya’Majesty Washington, Warwick High School, senior guard
When did you first get a basketball in your hands, and what has the journey been like since then?
Washington: “When I was 7. Ever since then I just fell in love with it. Then eighth grade I had a really good year. Coach saw it and when I was a freshman he moved me up to varsity.”
What player do you look up to?
Geno Falduts competes as a junior on the Conestoga Valley swim team. His specialties are the 100-yard breaststroke and the 200-yard individual medley. He swims 5 days a week for CV and one day at the Reading YMCA, where he encounters competition and friendships.
According to Geno, CV has a small team in members this year; however, with some promising freshmen swimmers, the outlook for the future is bright.
Sophie MacCartney, Lancaster County Christian School
What’s your basketball origin story and what’s the journey been like since then?
MacCartney: “My dad was a great athlete. Since I was little I’ve been into basketball. I started attending Lancaster County Christian School in fifth grade. That’s when I started playing basketball. I’ve been playing ever since.”
Do you play other sports? If so, how do those translate to basketball?
Nolan Wagner, Solanco High School, senior
Tell me about your basketball journey?
Wagner: “Growing up my older brother he played so I always watched him. I always enjoyed watching him. That’s how I got started.”
Is there a favorite player who you’ve modeled your game after?
Wagner: “J.J. Redick.”
If you could, what advice would you give to yourself as a freshman?
Chayla Fox, Ephrata Mennonite School (girls basketball)
What’s your basketball origin story and what’s the journey been like since then?
Fox: “I just grew up with an athletic family. I’ve always been playing sports. In middle school I tried basketball. I liked it.”
Do you play any other sports and how does that translate to basketball?
Aubrey Houseal will be a senior shooting guard for Donegal’s girls’ basketball team. She has been playing basketball since sixth grade and looks forward to an exciting season. The Donegal team has been working hard in the off season to further build their program.
Sariiah Sweeney, freshman McCaskey point guard and swing forward, plays basketball all year long with her AAU PA team. These games allow her to travel to games in Kentucky and Ohio. She says these games and competition keep her in great shape year-round.
Sariiah says her McCaskey team is young this year, however players have high goals. Winning a state championship is a long- range goal.