Grayson Shellhammer, Ephrata High School, senior guard
How did a basketball first get in your hands and what has your journey been like since then?
Shellhammer: “My dad and his brothers played basketball. And my two older brothers played basketball. So they were always pressuring me. At first I would say, ‘No. I don’t want to play basketball. I’ll stick with soccer.’ Then I tried it in third grade. Loved it. Here I am today.”
How much have your older brothers impacted you as a player?
Shellhammer: “It’s helped. Playing in the driveway, they’re bigger than you. It’s always a dogfight.”
Do you play any other sports and how does that translate to the court?
Shellhammer: “I play soccer. One of the main ones is leadership. I was a captain on the soccer team. I’m a captain on the basketball team. So being a leader is holding your guys accountable to show up to every practice with determination and pushing ourselves.”
What are you excited about with this year’s team?
Shellhammer: “Defense. We were one of the top defensive teams in the league last year.”
Is there a player you look up and have taken some parts of their game and applied to you?
Shellhammer: “Steph Curry. I try to be a better shooter. Tyrese Maxey. He takes the ball to the rack so I try to do the same.”
Time for some fun questions. You’re good at soccer and basketball. What sport are you the worst at?
Shellhammer: “Golf.”
What did you learn in school this week?
Shellhammer: “I learned that you should budget from your net pay, not your gross pay.”
You’re a senior now. What advice would you give to yourself as a freshman?
Shellhammer: “Confidence is key. I was really shy and soft spoken as a freshman. Be confident, aggressive and more vocal.”
