FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com JANUARY 23, 2014 • THE QUEENS COURIER 81 sports STAR of the WEEK BERKEL PSAL Queens- AA Boys Basketball standings HIGH SCHOOL W-L Streak Benjamin Cardozo 11-0 W11 HS For Construction 10-1 W3 Queens HS of Teaching 7-4 L1 Bayside High School 6-5 W1 Beach Channel/Channel View HS 5-6 L1 Flushing 5-7 W2 Martin Van Buren 4-8 L5 Campus Magnet 3-8 L2 Thomas Edison 0-12 L12 Standings from PSAL.org as of January 22 THE COURIER/PhotoS by Liam La Guerre BY LIAM LA GUERRE THE QUEENS COURIER PRESENTS ‘SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK’ Name: SIERRA Berkel School: Townsend Harris Grade: Senior Sport: Basketball Position: Forward Sierra Berkel is a senior on the Townsend Harris High School basketball team. Berkel is leading the team to its third straight undefeated regular season in the PSAL (12-0) currently averaging more than 15 points and 8 rebounds per game as of January 21. She has been captain of the basketball team since her sophomore year and is also captain of the school’s girls fl ag football team. She boasts a 93 percent average, and is a member of ARISTA, the National Honor Society. Berkel also volunteered in former Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr.’s offi ce during his 2013 Borough President campaign. Berkel will be attending Haverford College next semester, and will be a part of the school’s basketball team. Why are you motivated to “My father passed when I was very young. My mother raised me and my twin brother all by herself. Knowing what strength is, I got that from my family. Being able to do well academically and excel in sports is all part of what my family has given me.” What is your favorite class? “I think my most interesting class was urban studies. I took it at Queens College. I think that was pretty interesting, because it was about poverty in the city, causes and how to stop it. That really opened up my eyes.” Why do you like sports? “I think it’s really important. Defi nitely doing basketball I found I was more involved in the school. Also, serving as captain defi nitely teaches you leadership and I think that defi nitely helped to lift my confi dence.” How did working in Peter Vallone Jr.’s offi ce help you? “I didn’t know much about the Queens Borough president and politics, but it’s really interesting and important. I learned too that you can make a change in your community. That was defi nitely a great experience, because you learn your voice is being counted.” How diffi cult is it to manage all your extracurricular activities? “My mother was a teacher, so the importance of education was stressed to me. Working hard and doing well in school is important, because I know it’s valued at my house. There are defi nitely some tired days, but I knew I wanted to be involved in everything.” com Harris do well academically and in extracurricular activities? SIERRA CHSAA BQ-AA Boys basketball standings HIGH SCHOOL W-L Streak Bishop Loughlin 12-3 W4 Christ the King 12-3 L2 St. Francis Prep 12-5 L2 Archbishop Molloy 10-3 W1 Xaverian 8-7 W1 Holy Cross 6-8 L1 Standings courtesy nychsaabasketball.com as of January 22
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