By Sophia Pan, Staff Reporter
To senior Zach Lezanic, the basketball court is a home away from home. Lezanic, who has always loved basketball, has played since he was three or four when his dad “put the ball in his hands.”
Basketball “means a lot (to me),” Lezanic said. “It’s something I do every day—it’s something I love to do every day. I’m blessed to be able to play the game every day.”
This year, Lezanic achieved the feat of scoring 1000 points in a win against Upper Darby on Feb. 7. Lezanic one of only three players to accomplish this in the past 13 years.
“It was a goal of mine in high school to get my 1000th point and being able to do it my senior year with all my teammates was just an unbelievable experience,” Lezanic said.
Lezanic achieved the impressive milestone despite tearing his quad tendon freshman year, which still affects him today.
“That injury really put in perspective how much I really cared about basketball and how much I needed it in my life,” Lezanic said.
Lezanic is more than just a superstar on the court, however.
“Off the court, Zach is of the nicest young men I’ve ever had the pleasure of associating with,” boys varsity basketball coach Michael Troy said. “It was a privilege to coach Zach.”
Lezanic also values the relationships he has built through basketball. If it weren’t for basketball, Lezanic would not have met many of the people he has, including Todd Monastero, who he considers a “second father.”
Most of all, Lezanic values the connection he created with his teammates, citing them as his motivation to be the best player and person he can be.
“Having teammates is almost being like a brotherhood in a way. You really realize how much you care for them, and how it’s so much bigger than basketball and how you’re creating friendships that will last forever. ” Lezanic said.
As such an integral part of his life, basketball has shaped his mentality towards life.
“I think it’s taught me how to be mentally tougher. I think it taught me sacrifice. It taught me how to deal with losing. It taught me how to stay humble. I think it’s made me a better person,” Lezanic said.
Lezanic plans to do a post-grad year at the Hill School, where he will keep playing. He hopes to get a scholarship to play in college after that.
“I think basketball has just been so many positive things for me in my life and I hope to continue to play the game for as long as possible.” Lezanic said.
Sophia Pan can be reached at [email protected].
