Shreyas Shashi

In a sport where intensity runs high and every point counts, sportsmanship and leadership often go unnoticed under the competitive fire that each basketball game holds. Senior and varsity basketball player Shreyas Shashi embodies good sportsmanship both on and off the court.

Throughout his time on the basketball team, Shashi has shown unwavering dedication and determination to his team. His ability to connect the team, maintain a positive attitude and build meaningful relationships has contributed to a stronger team chemistry and environment. Whether celebrating a win or reflecting on a tough loss, Shashi approaches every moment with humility and a mindset that puts the team first, qualities that make him deserving of this year’s male Alok Subbarao Sportsmanship Award.

After many years of playing basketball, Shashi continues to be motivated and dedicated to the team.

“I’ve always been into sports for the love of the game,” Shashi said. “In order to have a cohesive team, there needs to be a sustained effort to keep everyone together, and that’s where I thrive.”

Even after some tough losses this year at Los Gatos and Sacred Heart, Shashi still finds a way to rise back up and improve.

“It’s disappointing to lose against some of our biggest rivals,” Shashi said. “But, when I get frustrated, I do a good job of channeling that frustration into effort, knowing that the game is all about having fun.”

Shashi treats every failure as an opportunity to improve and come back stronger. His teammate, junior Iverson Lee, believes his presence on the team has helped the team become a tightly-knit community.

“Every practice, he is always ready and demonstrates his dedication to the team by constantly pushing himself to be better,” Lee said.

It is clear that Shashi, because of his efforts to improve the team and be a role model, has had a positive impact on his teammates as well.

“Seeing Shreyas actively working to improve his abilities makes me and the rest of the team want to work harder,” Lee said.

Shashi’s teammate Jeremiah Fung also attributes to his presence on the basketball team.

“He always has good energy and is ready to play and supports his team and teammates to his fullest capabilities,” Fung said.

Shashi’s efforts have been a strong example of good leadership for the boys basketball team and have been a prime factor for the team’s stellar performance against their main rival, Gunn High School.

“The game at Gunn was super fun and the environment was so energetic,” Shashi said. “It felt great to absolutely destroy our rival.”

It is clear that Shashi is deserving of this year’s Alok Subbarao Sportsmanship Award. Hopefully, his efforts have paved the way for a new generation of leaders on the boys varsity basketball team to continue to motivate and connect the team the way he has this season.

Lucy Griffin

As the ball finally glides in, a moment of relief is felt by the Paly girl’s lacrosse team after a frustrating start. Instead of dwelling on the team’s misses, senior athlete Lucy Griffin was instantly there, serving as a force of encouragement, lifting spirits and fueling her teammates for the next play.

Griffin stands out on the Palo Alto High School girls lacrosse team for her strong sportsmanship and leadership. As an important leader on the team, she has earned the respect and admiration of her teammates and coaches alike.

Griffin is a senior currently in her third year on Paly’s Varsity lacrosse team. She has been playing the sport since her freshman year, and it has had a significant impact on her life. Her fair play and respect for the game stand out as defining traits. Griffin approaches every match with a focus on playing hard and playing right. Her previous experiences of devastating losses motivate her to be a good sport because she understands the upset and vulnerability that teams often feel after losses.

“I have been on both the winning side and the losing side, so I know what it feels like to just be crushed during a game,” Griffin said. “So, I have empathy for other teams and players.”

Many athletes struggle to balance competitiveness and sportsmanship, allowing their emotions to take control and cloud judgment, especially in the heat of the moment during games.

Yet, true sportsmanship lies in maintaining composure and prioritizing the integrity of the game, even in the most high-pressure situations. Griffin is the perfect example of a player having control over her emotions, rather than the other way around, in heated moments.

“I always make sure to take a step back when things get heated and recognize that it is only high school sports,” Griffin said. “Even though competition happens on the field, respect needs to happen everywhere.”

Griffin’s support and dedication to the team have not gone unnoticed. Junior Natalie Dymmel, a teammate, explains that Griffin is seen by her team as a role model and leader, often taking control of the flow.

“Lucy’s true sportsmanship models a great teammate and person to look up to on and off the field,” Dymmel said. “She sets the tone for the team most days, and I, as well as my teammates, feed off that.”

Griffin is known to maintain a particularly positive attitude and strong composure during tense situations.

“She is well composed under pressure, even when everyone else is frustrated or frazzled,” Dymmel said. “She brings a level of composure and patience to the team that can’t be missed when listening to team huddles.”

Dymmel explains how Griffin uses her strong composure to help her teammates during heated moments.

“I get frustrated very easily, but when someone asks for my opinion, it helps me calm down, which reflects on others,” Dymmel said. “Lucy often starts this chain reaction by seeking how we can fix our mistakes rather than getting stuck in the past.”

Dymmel recalls a moment when the team was discouraged with their shot outcomes, but Griffin kept her positive attitude and spread encouragement.

“We were having trouble placing shots in our first game against Saratoga,” Dymmel said. “When we came away with a goal, she would encourage those who missed a pass or shot, lifting and pumping them up for the next rep.”

Griffin’s encouraging leadership and tireless commitment define her impact on the girls lacrosse team and make her deserving of this year’s Alok Subbarao Sportsmanship Award. As a senior, her legacy of positive influence will continue to inspire her teammates long after she graduates.

Interview of Shreyas Shashi

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