By Staff Writer Jennifer Fortman

Though only a sophomore, Laurel Pereira has already proven herself a valuable member of the Naperville North girls varsity basketball team. “The North Star” sat down with Pereira to discuss her basketball career and plans for the future.

Q: What’s the best thing about your sport?

A: The best thing about basketball is that it’s a team sport so you get to enjoy everything you do with your teammates. You win together and lose together, but your teammates really make you stronger as a player and as person and it just makes it more fun.

Q: What’s the worst thing about your sport?

A: It’s difficult because the game can be really complex at times. The worst part, that at least I find, is that it can be frustrating sometimes when you’re not playing well or your team isn’t playing well. But, it can be really nice to overcome it.

Q: How far do you want to go with your sport?

A: I’d like to go as far as I can with it. I’m working really hard to try improve my skills all around and maybe even play in college if I can.

Q: What is the most important contribution you make to your team?

A: I really try to be a good leader. Even as a sophomore, I was still in the program last year so I have a lot that I can contribute leadership wise and really be a positive attitude. If my teammates are struggling, I always want to have their backs so I know that if the same thing is happening to me that they will have my back too.

Q: How have you evolved as an athlete over the years?

A: Through a lot of hard work, I’ve been able to improve in a lot of different ways skill wise and just learning the game. Game experiences can help you learn about what to do and different aspects of the game that you can’t just learn during practice.

Q: What coaches/mentors have inspired you over the years?

A: Each one of my coaches has taught me different things. Last year with Disipio, she was a great influence for me. And this year with Dycus, he’s helped us look at the game in a different way and it really helps you learn and improve as a player.