Trevor Ross-Co-Student Athlete of the Week

     Transitioning from junior high to high school athletics can be tough.  Players who are used to being the star may have to transition into role players, and athletes who are always assured of a spot can sometimes find themselves on the short end of the stick.  Freshmen often find high school coaches demanding a higher level of commitment, focus, and skill than ever before.  This week’s co-student athlete of the week, Trevor Ross, has a much more challenging transition, as he is the first ever boys basketball player to star on the varsity as a freshmen.

     Coaches are often leery of promoting a talented athlete too early, as there are a myriad of challenges for them.  Team cohesion, larger and more talented athletes, demanding schedules, and level of commitment are just a few of the demands asked of athletes that move up a level.  In Trevor’s case, there was never a doubt in Coach Steve Symanski’s mind about him making the leap.  “With him only being a freshman, he brings a ton of basketball experience, he plays on one of the best AAU teams in the country (Illinois Wolves),” said Symanski.  Aside from praising Ross’ pedigree, Symanski goes on to say, “[Trevor] is a very good leader for a freshman, and he has a great work ethic. He is very positive and has a strong basketball IQ. He is also very coachable and wants to get better each day.”

     Fortunately for Trevor, he has a great family around him to both support and help lead him through his first year on varsity.  Trevor says of his family, “They push me the hardest and taught me how to play basketball.”  Trevor leaned on his two older brothers Troy and Tyler, both OE basketball alums, to help show him the fundamentals of basketball at a young age.  His parents, Deatrice and Troy, provide Trevor with the stability and support to help him continue to pursue his dreams, as well as maintaining academics as a priority.

     Trevor’s lofty and attainable goal of one day playing basketball for the University of Syracuse can only be realized if he achieves as much in the classroom as he does on the court.  Trevor’s advice to next year’s freshmen class would be to “come in and don’t slack off, because it is hard to get out if you a dig a hole early.”  Luckily, Trevor also has the support of his teachers, especially his favorite Algebra I instructor, Mr. John Paul Shore.  Shore sees a lot of the qualities that make Trevor successful on the court used in the classroom.  “[Trevor] is extremely nice, he really wants to do well and has a wonderful personality,” says Shore. He continues by adding, “Even when things get difficult, he keeps a smile on his face and continues to work hard, without giving up.”

     Symanski sees a bright future ahead for Ross saying, “I look for Trevor to be a leader next season and one of the best players in the conference.”  The future of both Ross’ and the OE boy’s basketball program seems to be bright, and many will take notice of OE’s point guard over the next three seasons.  Ross provides another simple piece of advice for this fall’s freshmen by saying “the harder you work in the beginning of something, the more it pays off in the end.”  As exhibited by his stellar entrance into Oswego East, clearly Ross is taking his own advice.