The Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week for Dec. 26 are from Kent-Meridian High School; Raymond Wong (Jr.) basketball and Harper Beruccio (Fr.) basketball.
What do you value in your sport or about your team?
Bertuccio: One of my favorite parts of being on the team is having a group of people that I know I can count on and they will help me be my best self. Having a place where I can go after school everyday and be a part of a squad is a really important part of who I am.
Wong: I value growth, I feel like we should be getting 1% better each day
What have you learned from your sport that you can take with you throughout your life/future?
Bertuccio: Something that I will definitely be taking away from basketball is the importance of hustle, never giving up and putting my 100% into everything I do, Being on a team means you have people who are always counting on you, and so doing your best isn’t just for you, it’s for everyone on team as well.
Wong: I learned adversity, It’s about how you react to something that’s not going your way, pushing through it and bouncing back.
What do you do when you aren’t motivated and what helps you stay motivated?
Bertuccio: When I am not feeling motivated, I try to remind myself of how far I’ve come and how amazing it will feel when I reach my goals. There are moments in a game and practice when I start to feel discouraged and it can be hard to get out of that mindset, but remembering how hard I have worked and the support of my teammates, coaches, and family really helps. And I am very grateful for them.
Wong: I think about all the people that supported me throughout the way.
Do you have a favorite pre-game meal?
Bertuccio: I don’t have a pre-game meal. But after a game, nothing hits the spot like a frozen treat (like ice cream or a slushy).
Wong: The Philly cheese steak from subway.
What advice would you give to a teammate that is struggling?
Bertuccio: Before games, my team does a chant and part of it is: “I’ve got you, you’ve got me, we’ve got us”. This chant represents the support that we all have for each other. When a teammate is struggling, I do my best to support, encourage and be there for them because I know that’s what I would want too.
Wong: You shouldn’t worry about the last moment. Instead, focus on the ones ahead.
From the sidelines:
Bertuccio: Harper exemplifies what it means to be a true student-athlete. As a multi-sport competitor in both soccer and basketball, she brings consistent effort. leadership, and a team first mindset no matter the season. As one of our team captains, Harper leads by example on and off the court, setting the standard with her hard work ethic, communication and accountability. On top of her athletic commitment, she maintains straight A’s proving that excellence in the classroom matters just as much as performance in competition. Harper represents our program with pride, discipline and heart every day.
Wong: Raymond Wong deserves athlete of the week because of his leadership on and off the court while maintaining 3.0 GPA. The real definition of a student athlete. Raymond also led the Royals in scoring in his last games before getting hurt. But he still shows up everyday to practice to cheer on his teammates!
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