Name: Abby Pool

School: Yorkville

Sport: Basketball, junior

Why she was selected: Pool scored a game-high 18 points with a buzzer-beating game-winner in a 55-53 win over Plainfield Central. She also scored a team-high 13 points in a 59-40 win over Romeoville.

Pool was voted by readers as the Record Newspapers Athlete of the Week. Here is her interview with Sports Editor Joshua Welge.

Welge: How great was it to get those wins last week?

Pool: It’s been great. We had a rocky start to the season at first. I think we’re starting to click together.

Welge: What’s been the difference?

Pool: I would say probably passing the ball to each other. We are really just sharing the ball.

Welge: What happened on your game-winning shot?

Pool: It was crazy. The girl from Plainfield Central missed the shot, Lainey [Gussman] got the rebound, Alex [Stewart] passed me the ball, I went down the court and was able to get a shot off because of them. My ears were ringing for a little while afterward. It was crazy, a lot of fun. I could not stop smiling. It was a great team win.

Welge: Had you ever hit a shot like that before? What was it like in the locker room afterward?

Pool: No, I have not. It was so much screaming, so much yelling. Everybody was happy for each other.

Welge: It sounds like you’ve been taking advantage of more opportunities to play and contribute as the season has progressed. What’s been going on?

Pool: Definitely taking advantage of the opportunities, doing my part, trying to help the team win. Definitely putting in extra practice.

Welge: What do you feel you bring to the team?

Pool: Definitely my shooting, ball control, handling pressure. Those are my strong suits.

Welge: Do you play any other sports?

Pool: I play softball, too. I play shortstop and second base.

Welge: Who are your favorite athletes you like to watch?

Pool: I like watching [Brooklyn Nets star] Kevin Durant and [Memphis Grizzlies star] Ja Morant.

Welge: What’s your favorite subject in school?

Pool: I’d probably say English.

Welge: Do you have a favorite meal a family member makes?

Pool: My mom’s steak, it’s good.