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26 | July 6, 2017 | The highland park landmark sports
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Games
From Page 29
try, Shamberg knows the
Games are much larger
than the competition. He’s
excited to meet other Jews
from all over the world,
tour Israel and attend the
activities the Games have
set up, including the Opening
Ceremony on July 6.
“I’m definitely looking
forward to the trip,” he
said. “It’s more than just
softball. It’s the experience
of being over there
and celebrating Jewish
athletes. The experience
I’m going to get there is
going to be a once-in-alifetime
experience.”
So much of Ohcana’s
life revolves around
teaching, both at Schechter
and as a religious
school teacher at her
synagogue. She’s visited
Israel many times; she
lived there for a year with
her husband, frequently
acts as a chaperone for
Schechter’s eighth grade
trips and speaks Hebrew.
But there’s always more
to learn, as this will be her
first time competing in the
Maccabiah Games.
After playing tennis informally
for most of her
life, Ohcana has played
competitively for the past
10 years. This will be her
first opportunity playing
on the international stage.
The deal will be further
sweetened every time she
steps on the court with her
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doubles partner. Ohcana
will play with her sister,
Michelle Madansky, another
HPHS graduate who
lives in Menlo Park, Calif.
This will be the first time
since 1981 the sisters will
be in Israel at the same
time.
“I am very much looking
forward to meeting
the other players from all
over the world,” Ohcana
said. “This is an amazing
experience for Jewish athletes.
I am really looking
forward to spending the
time with my sister and
my mother, (who) is coming
along to cheer us on.”
The Games’ opening
ceremony took place
Tuesday, July 4 at Teddy
Field in Jerusalem.
Congratulations to this week’s
Athlete of the Week.
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sponsor of this program.
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Athlete of the Week
10 Questions
with Brandon Lew
Lew graduated from Highland
Park High School
in 2017 and will continue
his career at Illinois State
University next season.
How long have you
been playing tennis
and how did you get
started with the sport?
I started later than most
people who are at a similar
level. I started in middle
school and would usually
just play with my grandpa,
who’s a huge tennis fan, or
my dad. They both really
like tennis a lot and I did
too, so I started classes,
was getting better, did my
first tournament and really
enjoyed it.
What’s the hardest
shot for you to hit in
tennis?
For me it’s getting a good
approach shot. Usually
most players can either
put the ball away or hit a
really good angle and that’s
one of the things I struggle
with, doing something
when I get the opportunity
to close out a point.
If you weren’t playing
tennis, what sport
would you be playing?
I’d be playing baseball
because I actually was
playing that for 8 years. I
had to choose between tennis
and baseball when I got
to high school and went
with tennis. Sometimes
I miss baseball, but I’m
happy with my decision.
If you could travel
anywhere in the world,
where would you go
and why?
I’ve always wanted to
go to Hawaii or Australia.
Hawaii is a dream spot
and seems like a perfect
vacation place. I’ve always
wanted to go to the Australian
Open, it’s during our
winter.
If you could have any
superpower, what
would you choose and
why?
I’d choose to have the
ability to fly. I think it
would be fun to fly, easier
to get places with no traffic.
What do you usually
eat the day of a big
tennis match?
When I play tournaments
I definitely like to
have pasta before or sushi.
Pasta’s definitely the better
choice for a tennis tournament
but I love sushi.
Who is your favorite
professional tennis
player?
I like Roger Federer.
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What is your favorite
memory of playing
tennis at HPHS?
My freshman year I
was playing No. 3 doubles
and we had a night match
and it was the only night
match I played in my
entire high school career.
It was against New Trier
and I don’t think we were
supposed to win but my
partner and I fought really
hard. Everyone was watching
us and we won in three
close sets.
What advice would you
give younger tennis
players?
Never quit, never give
up. Tennis is a very mental
game so sometimes when
you lose a few points in
a match you’re usually
very down on yourself or
depressed, you’re very sad
and sometimes you think
that you don’t want to
play tennis anymore, but
never stop. You’ll get past
the bump and eventually
you’ll enjoy yourself.
What was the best
part of being an athlete
at HPHS?
I think it’s really fun
being on a team. My teammates,
all four years, I
was very close with them,
even the ones that graduated
a few years ago that
I haven’t been on a team
with, just the bonding
that we have and the team
camaraderie during the
season and (offseason) was
very strong. It’s definitely
the best part of playing a
sport at Highland Park, the
team aspect.
Interview by Sports Editor
Derek Wolff