Herald-News Athlete of the Week: Plainfield East’s Lexi Sepulveda

Plainfield East basketball player Lexi Sepulveda won the voting for Herald-News Athlete of the Week. Sepulveda received 229 votes, beating out three other basketball players: Bolingbrook’s Davion Thompson (61), Plainfield North’s Jeffrey Fleming (23) and Lincoln-Way East’s Hayven Smith.

Sepulveda, who will play for Division I Southern Indiana next year, became Plainfield East’s all-time leading scorer – boy or girl – and also eclipsed the 1,500-point plateau last week.

Sepulveda answered a few questions from Herald-News sports reporter Rob Oesterle.

When did you start playing basketball?

Sepulveda: I started way back in fifth grade on a low-level travel team. My dad [Daniel] introduced me to the game, and I just fell in love with it.

What do you like best about basketball?

Sepulveda: I love the feeling of hard work. I have been working extremely hard, especially the last two years. To win a conference championship last year, it showed what you can accomplish if you work hard and if everyone on the team works hard.

What is your most memorable moment in basketball?

Sepulveda: I would probably say that it was my first Division I offer. Gardner-Webb in North Carolina was the first to offer me last May after a tournament in Ohio. The college recruiting process is very challenging and can be very stressful. I always wanted to be a Division I basketball player, so to get my first offer was a great feeling.

What sport would you play if you didn’t play basketball?

Sepulveda: I played soccer up until my freshman year in high school, so I would have to say soccer. Soccer really prepared me for basketball with all the running you do in soccer. A lot of people say they can see my soccer background when I play basketball.

What is on your pregame playlist?

Sepulveda: My go-to song before every game is “Dreams and Nightmares” by Meek Mill. I have to play that before every game. I’ve been doing it since eighth grade. I am sure I will continue to play it before every game in college.

What is your favorite meal?

Sepulveda: My favorite thing to eat is macaroni and cheese. If I go out to eat anywhere and they have mac and cheese, that’s what I am ordering.