Emily Estrada

DYNAMIC DUO DETERMINED – Varsity lady pack basketball players, Samantha Ortiz [left] and Ellen Kendall [right], getting set on defense preparing for what’s to come to ensure they remain victorious.

For many high school athletes, the pressure to excel on the court and in the classroom can feel exciting but overwhelming. Yet, for two standout Wolfpack girls’ basketball players, juniors Ellen Kendall and Samantha Ortiz, balancing athletics with academics has become a challenge they not only accept, but they have learned to work around it. Their dedication to both sports and academics have earned them respect from coaches and teachers alike.

For Kendall and Ortiz, their inspiration for success comes from within, as well as being able to make the people who support them proud. Working hard on the court and in the classroom to improve and grow as student-athletes is their ultimate motivator. “When I do something [well] in a game, or I get a good grade on something that I worked really hard on, I feel really happy knowing that the work I put in paid off,” Kendall said.

Not only has their academic excellence been inspired by their own desire for triumph, but the encouragement they receive from the varsity head coach, Andre Lilly. He focuses on training the players for success on the basketball court as much as he expresses the great benefit they will receive by doing well in school. “Confidence, I try to give them as much confidence as I can. Just like in basketball [where] you train to win games, [in school you train] to win in life,” Lilly said. 

Although the basketball season adds excitement to their year, there are some days when balancing basketball and school can feel like an enormous weight on their shoulders. Having long practices, intense games, and conflicting schedules can leave little time for homework and relaxation, with the constant juggling between school deadlines and athletic demands making it difficult to stay on top of everything. However, having a strong support system can make all the difference in managing the pressure. “The idea that people count on me motivates me. I don’t want to let down anyone that expects me to show up, whether it be my classmates or teammates,” Ortiz said.

Both players have received constant and consistent praise from their coach for their hard work and dedication to school and basketball. “They’re very responsible, and they show the other girls responsibility. I can depend on them and they show that to the other young ladies. [They demonstrate] how to be dependable, respectful, and responsible,” Lilly said.

In the end, the challenge of balancing academics and sports is one that teaches valuable skills such as resilience, responsibility and determination. While the pressure can be immense, the rewards of personal growth and academic success make it all worthwhile. As for Kendall and Ortiz, they’re not only setting themselves up for success in high school, but beyond the walls of education by learning lessons that will serve them well. Through hard work and perseverance, they demonstrate that with balance, anything is possible.