The Ella Frey Interview (Camp Hill, PA)
When did you first start your sports journey?
“My basketball journey began when I was 4 years old when I started to play for the Upward program at my church. I remember playing with a lot of my preschool friends. After playing Upward for a couple of years, I then played in Cedar Cliff’s youth program along with travel and middle school ball. I began my AAU journey with Mid Penn Motion in fourth grade. That's where the competitiveness really began for me. I played with MPM for five years but then my freshman year, I moved to play with Central PA Elite. I am currently playing with CPE, alongside Sienna (Manns) and hope to have a good season.”
“My soccer journey was not much different than basketball. I also began at an early age. I played at Fusion FC and played there through third grade. I was looking for something more competitive, so in fourth grade, I moved to play for Eagle FC. Where our team played in higher level tournaments. The past two years, I've played at Keystone FC. This is where I started to receive looks to play at the collegiate level. I am hoping that my junior year in high school, and club season showcases my strengths and ability to play soccer at the next level.”
For those who aren’t familiar with your game, how are you as a player from the skill standpoint?
“I feel soccer is my strongest sport. I mainly play midfield for my club team and my goal is to be a playmaker. Whether it's winning balls, assisting goals or making goals. I try to help my team with my field awareness as well as my physicality in the middle.”
“As far as basketball, I’m not the player with the most points." She continued. "The most rebounds or even the most steals. You can bet that if I’m out on the court, I’m trying my best to just do my job and help the team. I’ve run point for most of my teams up to this point, so I feel pretty comfortable handling the ball. Also, I feel I’m aggressive defensively. I try to disrupt, or cause turnovers to hopefully turn into points for our team.”
How was life growing up for you on the West Shore?
“Growing up on the West Shore is all I know. Both my parents went to Red Land High School, where they participated in sports and came back to this area after college. I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by extended family, and lots of family friends from both the Red Land and Cedar Cliff areas. Sports is all I remember growing up. My dad played baseball professionally, so he was always helping me and my siblings with the skills and mindset to be an elite athlete. My parents provided my siblings, and I with all equipment needed to succeed in both the mental and physical aspect. No matter the sport we were participating in. Before choosing to focus my time between soccer and basketball, I tried gymnastics, swimming, lacrosse and volleyball. The West Shore and surrounding areas offered a lot as far as sports options, and being able to be a part of sports teams.”
How was your sophomore year as a whole?
“My sophomore year of soccer at Cedar Cliff was difficult mentally and physically. I started pre season with a stress fracture in my lower back, so I couldn’t participate until halfway through the season. Once I came back and started to feel comfortable with the players on the field and the game, I got slide tackled and broke my hand pretty badly. I was in a cast for 6 weeks. Once I was able to play, there were only a few games left in the season. As far as my sophomore soccer season, I was bummed that I didn’t play a large part until the end.”
“My sophomore season of basketball started off a little rocky as well. I was still in a cast from my broken hand, so I wasn't able to fully participate except for shooting. After my cast was removed, I had to do three weeks of hand therapy before they would clear me to participate in practice or games. At this time, it was already mid-December, and our team was already doing very well and winning. Although I was ready and hoping to play, I didn’t receive the minutes during the regular season. Going into the postseason, I didn’t expect the playtime that I got. To be honest, I was shocked when I was put into the game at the Giant Center against Central York.”
You’re still at a very early stage of your career. What kinds of things are you doing to make yourself the best player you can be?
“Although I am splitting my time between two sports year round, I make time in my schedule to get extra training. I do weekly mental training, weight lighting and core work. I also practice four nights a week plus doing extra touches on the ball. During the summer I will work with a trainer to mainly build my strength, speed and agility.”
Having your older brother by your side, you have seen what it takes to make it to the next level. Now writing your own story, how does that help shift the mindset into your career for these next two years?
“Watching my brother train and play his sports growing up, he has had an enormous impact on me as an athlete. I have watched him make so many sacrifices over the years, so he can achieve his goal of playing baseball at the collegiate level. I have watched him train both mentally and physically, and put in hours upon hours of practice time. As I got older, I realized that’s what it takes to dream big, and achieve your dreams. I saw at times, it wasn’t always easy. It was actually very hard, and brought him down. But, I also saw how he pulled himself out of it and thrived. Watching him over the years has taught me so many lessons to become the best person or athlete that I can be. Even though we are focusing on different sports, they all take commitment and hard work both mentally, physically and with confidence to do your best. Moving forward in my last two years of high school, I plan to focus on my weaknesses both mentally and physically, so I can reach my goal of playing in college.”
What do you believe are the greatest challenges most players are facing today?
“Overall, I believe most athletes find it very challenging, and stressful during the recruiting process. I think a lot of athletes these days think that D1 is the only way to go. I believe that no matter what level you play, it should be the right fit for you as an athlete and a student. Personally, my biggest challenge is being a multi-sport athlete both at high levels. I find that not all coaches fully support playing two sports year round. I try my hardest to commit to both of my sports, and continue to grow in both equally.”
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
“My favorite athlete would be Julie Ertz. She’s a soccer player for the US National Team. She was the captain for the World Cup back in 2012 leading them to gold metals. Off the field she and her husband, Zach created the Ertz Family Foundation after his Hati trip. This foundation donates grants to Philadelphia Charity organizations. I strive to be the player she is on and off the field.”
Who would you consider your role models?
“My role models would be my parents. My mom is very hard working juggling four kids with all our schedules. She is my biggest fan and encourages me no matter the outcome. My dad has always taught us to appreciate the gifts that God gave us, and to continue to build on them while being humble. I look up to dad because he is extremely hardworking and dedicated. I can only hope and dream that I can experience the success like he did.”
Balancing both travel soccer and basketball this offseason, it’s going to get crazy at times. Will you be ready for it?
“This spring will definitely be a busy one. I'm lucky that my practices don't overlap days, however, the weekends will be full. I'm used to juggling both sports as I have been playing travel soccer and AAU since 4th grade. I just have to keep focus on my goals for each sport to thrive this spring.”
It’s never too early to start thinking. As you’re now at the age where you’re looking and playing for college opportunities, what do you ideally look for in a school?
“I just started talking to coaches and visiting schools, so I am still trying to figure out exactly what I am looking for. I just want to find a school where I can study business, feel at home, and play the sport that I love. “
What are your expectations heading into junior year?
“As I approach junior year, I hope to play a huge role in both of my sports in high school. I hope our soccer team can make it to the postseason and for basketball hopefully we can continue our success.”
Thank you Ella for taking the time to talk with me. Do you have any words of encouragement or motivation? Any last words?
“Thank you so much for this opportunity to talk about my sports journey. For younger players I would just like to tell them to dream big and never give up because if you put in the hard work you can reach your goals.”
