Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week: Hampshire’s Mikala Amegasse

Name: Mikala Amegasse

School: Hampshire

Sport: Basketball

Why she was selected: Amegasse, a junior guard, almost had a triple-double with 19 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in a win in their Komaromy Holiday Classic finale against Naperville Central. She led the Whip-Purs with 17 points in a win over Sycamore.

For her performance, Amegasse was selected as the Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week in an online vote. Cary-Grove basketball player Ellie Mjaanes, Huntley basketball player Paula Strzelecki and Burlington Central wrestler Ryann Miller also were nominated.

Amegasse answered a few questions from Northwest Herald sports editor Alex Kantecki.

What has been your favorite moment of the season so far?

Amegasse: This season, my favorite memory on the court was our first home “Pack the Place” vs. Burlington Central. The energy in the gym was amazing, and we played a great game. Off the court, I loved going to Feed My Starving Children with the whole program. It is a tradition that we do each year, and it is a great bonding experience because we get to have fun while making a difference.

What are your goals for the second half of the season?

Amegasse: Individually, I hope to continue growing in my leadership skills and support my teammates through the second half of the season. I want to focus on improving my shot consistency and ball-handling as well. As a team, I think we have shown some good potential and we are aiming to build our team chemistry and competitiveness. A big goal is to finish the season strong and carry that momentum into the future.

How did you celebrate New Year’s Eve?

Amegasse: I celebrated New Year’s with friends and family, spending the evening together and enjoying some good company.

Who is your funniest teammate?

Amegasse: We have a great group of girls, and we’re always laughing and having fun together. If I had to pick, I’d say my teammate Chloe [Van Horn]. She always knows how to make me laugh, and we’re constantly joking around. She’s really lighthearted and brings a fun energy that makes everything more enjoyable.

Who are a few of your favorite collegiate or professional players?

Amegasse: I really admire Hannah Hidalgo from Notre Dame and JuJu Watkins from USC. Both players are full of energy and relentless on the court, and watching them play is very exciting. At the professional level, I love watching Arike Ogunbowale and Sabrina Ionescu. They are all-around players, and I appreciate their work ethic and competitiveness.

What is your favorite wild animal?

Amegasse: My favorite wild animal is a tiger. They remind me of strength and determination, and overall I like the way they look.

What scares you?

Amegasse: I am scared of most bugs, and I try to avoid them at all costs. I also am not a big fan of heights or roller coasters.

If you could spend a day with anyone in history, who would it be?

Amegasse: I would choose Kobe Bryant. His work ethic and mentality are inspiring, and I’d love to learn how he stayed so focused and dedicated to being the best. I think spending a day with him would be motivational not just for basketball, but for life in general.

What do you hope people say about you when you’re not there?

Amegasse: I hope people say I am someone who is kind, dependable and hardworking. Whether it’s on or off the court, I want to be known for giving my best effort and supporting others. Being a good teammate, a loyal friend and someone who strives to improve every day is really important to me.