Suburban Life Athlete of the Week: Stella Sakalas, Nazareth, basketball, junior

Name: Stella Sakalas

School: Nazareth, junior

Sport: Basketball

Why she was selected: Sakalas scored 17 points, including her 1,000th career point, in Nazareth’s win over York at the Coach Kipp Hoopsfest.

She was voted the Athlete of the Week in an online vote.

Here is her Q&A with Sports Editor Joshua Welge.

Your 1,000th career point: How did you score it, how did you celebrate it and what does it mean to get it?

Sakalas: It was the front end of two free throws. I hit the first one and Coach Eddie [Stritzel] called a timeout so I could take a deep breath and take in the moment. It went by quickly and I stepped to the line and hit my second.

I celebrated the moment on the court with my team and after the game we all went out for dinner to celebrate. One of the best parts of the night was all my friends in the stands and the younger girls in the community that come out to watch.

What’s tough is the moment is about me but not really – it’s about the girls I played with the last two years and the girls I play with today and the reason I got there was because of them. I can’t pass myself the ball. It’s a team accomplishment.

You have a lot of new players around you but you’re still having a great season. When did you realize you could still have a really good team?

Sakalas: We knew last season that this team would be special and our best days continue to be in front of us.

I know you lived in Australia for several years growing up. What do you miss about it most since you moved to the U.S., and on the contrary what is a thing that you love about living here now?

Sakalas: I miss the ocean. I miss waking up and looking out my window and seeing the beach. I miss our life being around the water and all the fun we used to have because of it.

What I love about America is the opportunity to see so many different parts of the U.S. because of basketball. I have traveled all over the U.S. to compete and play against top talent. I really love traveling.

Do you have a favorite sports team and/or athlete?

Sakalas: My favorite sports team, without a doubt, is the Collingwood Magpies of the Australian Football League. My favorite athlete, though, is Jahmyr Gibbs, running back of the Detroit Lions. He’s amazing.

Favorite musician?

Sakalas: Morgan Wallen.

Favorite TV show or movie?

Sakalas: “NCIS” and “Criminal Minds.”