FAHMI FARAH- AMHERST REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Tell everyone about yourself?
My name is Fahmi Farah and I am a rising sophomore at Amherst Regional High School. I play basketball every season. I try to stay humble and I work hard. I am a 5'8 point guard and I'm skinny but am starting to hit the weights and get stronger. Last year I played AAU for Dunbar community center in Springfield.

What are your dreams in life?
My dream is to play division 1 basketball then get drafted into the NBA.

What was your best game?
My best game was in an AAU tournament in Hartford, CT. I had 20 points and I missed only 2 shots, was 5/6 on 3's and the team started to play really well especially on the defensive end. There were four other players in double digits that game and it went from a close first half to a blowout.

Why are sports/education important to you?
Sports are important to me because I have loved playing since before I could remember and I always loved to compete and hate to lose in anything. Academics are important because you cannot achieve in basketball without academics. I have seen a lot of players who have had the talent and didn't make the grades so I’m trying to do the opposite. You can't play in college without the grades.

What can you do to make yourself better in your sport?
I can make myself better at basketball by working hard everyday, staying humble, always going 100%, setting goals then going out and attaining them. To get better you have to play with people better than you or just as good, never play below your competition level. Be a student of the game and never stop learning.

How do you make your team better?
I can make any team I am on better by being a leader on and off the court and keeping my team involved at all times by distributing the ball. I have always been a guy who likes an assist just as much as a score. By working hard, being the first guy in the gym and the last one out will send a message to your team and they will want to do the same. Always lead by example.

What advice can you give other student-athletes?
Always keep focused, work hard in school and on the court. Improve everyday, have pride, and never be afraid to guard or play with somebody. Carry yourself as if you are already a college basketball or NBA player but never be cocky. Always be respectful and listen. Actions speak louder than words.

Send a shout out to SoSportz:
I would like to thank SoSportz for supporting me. It’s a great program for exposure and seeing other athletes with the same goals that I have.

JAMES "LIL J" WEST- VA DYNASTY

Tell everyone about yourself?
My name is James Howard West, IV. My family and friends know me as Lil' J. These days, I go by JJ too since I'm a huge JJ Reddick and Duke fan; and I can shoot the lights out! My other favorite player is Allen Iverson, because I plan to be the next big thing out of Va in his image. I am a student athlete, with a big emphasis on the student part. Having both my mom and dad as teachers, there is no slacking off when it comes to school.

Being a part of the gifted education program and the Math & Science specialty program at my school, I have to work extra hard to maintain good grade or I lose out in the gym. (Yes, my mom will take basketball away if she is not pleased with my grades). Outside of that, I have a little brother Jalen (7), and a little sister Jayel (3) who are some of my biggest fans. I was born in Washington, DC on June 25, 1998. I then moved to Woodbridge, VA when I was 1 year old and have been there ever since. Those who know me say I was born with a basketball in my hand. I started playing on a recreation team when I was 6 years old, but was always in the gym with my dad who has been a basketball coach for the last 12 years.

My dad is currently the head boys basketball coach at Freedom High School where I would play unless I go private school. When I was 10, I started playing with Team Takeover and had the opportunity to travel up and down the East Coast. Just this past Spring, I left the team to play for my Dad under his organization -VA Dynasty. That is where I feel at home and motivated to be me on the court. With that said, I plan on making some noise with my new team Virginia Dynasty starting the new 2011 AAU season. Remember my name- James Howard West, IV. You can follow me on my Youtube account by typing in James West 4th. I'll rep Va to the fullest two up two down.

What are your dreams in life?
My dream in life is to finish high school with honors and go on to Duke University with an academic scholarship to study within the field of Science. It is also with great ambition that my hard work in the classroom continues to carry over to the basketball court so that I can play for Coach K. Then its on to the NBA so my mom can retire.

What was your best game?
I had plenty of good games. The one I can recall recently is when I scored about 27 points and 8 assists. That was a great game because I was allowed to "DO ME" and still get my teammates involved.

Why are sports/education important to you?
Both of those things can help me be more successful in life. My mom always tells me that "education comes first because you can always break your leg". Both of my parents have instilled in me how important education is and once that is taken care of, the sky's the limit. That's why I can't come home with a C, and I always have all A's.

What can you do to make yourself better on your sport?
To make myself better, I need to work harder in my daily workouts, perfect my defensive play, and most importantly, play every game like its my last. My dad works me and my future back court mate out R.J. Barney as he prepares us for Freedom. With me and R.J. we will when two state titles for my father I promise.

How do you make your team better?
That's the first part of my game- I am a team player. I have great court vision which makes me able to see where my teammates are to get them the ball. I can score when I want, but like Lebron I choose to get everyone touches, because team comes first.

What advice can you give other student-athletes?
Keep working hard in the classroom first, then carry that same work ethic into practice and into the game. Hard work and discipline is what gets you to the finish line.

Send a shout out to SoSportz:
I would like to thank SoSportz for supporting student-athletes and for taking the time to get connected with me. This is a great website, and I predict this to be a high class source for athletes like me to get exposure. SoSportz is great, and I plan to have them track me through my career and my recruiting process. God Bless.

DANIEL APREM- NASEBEN HIGH SCHOOL (IRAQ)

Tell everyone about yourself?
My name is Daniel Aprem and I was a student at Naseben High School but now I'm a student at the Institute of Trade and Marketing. I am from Iraq in Duhok City. My height is 5'11 and I played the 1 and 2 on the court. I use to play with the school team and Duhok Club.

What are your dreams in life?
My dream in life is finishing my school and college. After college, I want to play on the European Clubs or any team outside my residence. But if I don't succeed in that , then I would like to do something with the law.

What was your best game?
My best game was last year in the Municipal Championship game I scored 25 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals.

Why are sports/education important to you?
Education and sports are important to me because playing basketball all year around keeps me out of trouble. Education is very important because its our future. With a good education I will find a good job.

What can you do to make yourself better in your sport?
I can make myself better by practicing on my own everyday. Shoot 500 shots around the court everyday and running we'll improve my game. I have to work hard to be better in future.

How do you make your team better?
I make my team better in practice. I always encourage and push my team to do the right training and work hard to make great union together in the team.

What advice can you give other student-athletes?
My advice for other athletes and students is to never give up on your education. If you read hard you will succeed on the exam. In sports, if you train hard you will be successful and you will be great player in future.

Send a shout out to SoSportz:
Thanks SoSportz for everything!!!! "Success Is Contagious"

BEN TEICHER- RUTGERS PREP

Tell everyone about yourself?
My name is Ben Teicher and I am a rising junior at Rutgers Prep in New Jersey. I play tennis and basketball. I was recently named an all prep selection for New Jersey High School Tennis. I am 5’11 and weigh 150 lbs.

What are your dreams in life?
My dreams in life are to play college tennis and after college have an impact in people’s lives either being a teacher or a coach.

What was your best game?
My best match was in 2008 I was playing in a district championship and I was down 6-3, 3-1 and I rallied to win the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Why are sports/education important to you?
Sports and education are really important in my life because even though I love playing tennis year round and playing basketball with my high school and AAU teams, my dad always taught me that I need a quality education to succeed in life because making it to the professionals is extremely rare. Developing good work habits for school now can only help me if I am playing college tennis at a prestigious academic school.

What can you do to make yourself better in your sport?
I have to take it one day at a time and constantly work at my weaknesses and improve my strengths to become a better player. I have to stay dedicated and determined to get better and when times are tough to persevere and get through it.

How do you make your team better?
I make my team better by leading by example and giving it my all day in and day out and making sure that I push my teammates at all times. If the team chemistry is very strong, we will be successful.

What advice can you give other student-athletes?
My advice for other student-athletes is to perform well in the classroom and work hard in whatever you are doing and you will be in a good place.

Send a shout out to SoSportz:
Big shout out to SoSportz for this interview!

DANIEL KING- SOUTHFIELD-LATHRUP HIGH SCHOOL

Tell everyone about yourself?
My name is Daniel King and I am a 9th grader and I will be attending Southfield-Lathrup High School next school year. Also I am ranked one of the top 8th graders in the state of Michigan. I averaged 17 pts and 6 asts this AAU season.

What are your dreams in life?
My dreams in life are to become a McDonald’s All-American and get a basketball scholarship to any Division 1 college program. Also I want to make it into the NBA and become a NBA all-star point guard.

What was your best game?
My best game to me was when we to a AAU tournament and I won MVP and I had 28 pts and 8 asts.

Why are sports/education important to you?
That is important to me because I need education and sports is my passion. Also you need education to really succeed in anything you want to do in life.

What can you do to make yourself better in your sport?
I can become some of a better off-guard and learn how to rebound a little bit better.

How do you make your team better?
I involve all my teammates and keep everyone happy while playing my all around game.

What advice can you give other student-athletes?
To never give up on your dreams and to work hard everyday because it’s always someone out there working on their game when you're not.

Send a shout out to SoSportz:
SoSportz is the future of recruiting and they are the best! Thanks SoSportz this how to get your name out there.

MICHAH GLENN- DETROIT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

Tell everyone about yourself?
My name is Micah Glenn and I'm a 5'9 point guard. I attend Detroit Country Day School and I'm in the class of 2013. I've been playing basketball since I was 5 and prep spotlight ranked me one of the top freshman in Michigan.

What are your dreams in life?
My dream in life is to go to college on a Division 1 basketball scholarship. It is my dream because it is something attainable that can lead to better things. I don't have to go pro from it but I can get an education by receiving it.

What was your best game?
My best game was probably this summer when I scored 30 points at Stanford University High profile camp. It was my best game because it was basically a 1 on 1 match up between me and this kid from Chicago and we were going back and forth, bucket for bucket, in front of all the coaches there.

Why are sports/education important to you?
Sports/Education are important to me because they both teach you life lessons.

What can you do to make yourself better in your sport?
By working hard at it and making sure that playing that particular sport is what I want to do.

How do you make your team better?
I make my team better by playing together with them on the court and being enthusiastic about what there doing when I'm not on the court. Making sure my teammates know I value them is also very important.

What advice can you give other student-athletes?
Just continue to work hard to reach your goals. It will pay off!

Send a shout out to SoSportz:
Thanks SoSportz!! If you want to get your name out to there to colleges, SoSportz is the way to get it done!!

JORDAN PAGE #79- PRINCETON DAY SCHOOL

Tell everyone about yourself?
My name is Jordan Page. I'm 6'4", 15 years old, and I go to Princeton Day School. I play football and basketball.

What are your dreams in life?
My dreams in life are one to graduate from the college of my choice and following that, play professional football. If that doesn't workout, I'd like to pursue a career in Music Marketing/Production.

What was your best game?
My best football game was freshman year against St. Andrews. I had 2 sacks and 5 tackles on Defense and I didn't let up any sacks as a Left Tackle.

Why are sports/education important to you?
Sports and education have always been important to me since day one. I love to play basketball and football whenever I can, but I know that without good grades, sports just becomes a hobby and I won't have the opportunity to play in college.  More importantly, I need to have a good education to get into college and be successful if professional sports doesn't work.

What can you do to make yourself better in your sport?
In order to make myself better in football, I have to continue to dedicate myself to the sport. Keep going to camps, practice everyday, work hard and mentally and physically progress in football. Lifting more, working out whenever I can and correcting every mistake.

How do you make your team better?
I make my team better by always going to practice with a 110% effort, having the right attitude, try to be a leader, and being a good teammate. Also, I give it my all when I play and do what my coaches expect out of us.

What advice can you give other student-athletes?
My advice is time management. You have to know how to balance your school work, sports, and social life and try to figure out what's the most important to you. Education comes first and then sports, but try not to be distracted with the social life.

Send a shout out to SoSportz:
Shout out to SoSportz!!!