Sophomore Ben McCaffrey is a longtime athlete.
He recently joined La Salle’s junior varsity basketball team, swinging for varsity, and playing club for Happy Valley Prep.
McCaffrey has been playing basketball since he was in fourth grade. He was inspired by his friends and family to join the sport.
“My sisters played it, and it’s always just something that I wanted to do,” he said.
His busy athletic schedule entails six practices a week, games, and weight lifting. Overall, the La Salle varsity team has played 20 games so far this season, with only seven losses. He believes this score is “pretty good” and said, “I think the hard work has shown up in our games.”
McCaffrey believes that his team is a good demonstration of integrity in sports.
Other teams that McCaffrey faces often attempt to provoke and distract his team but, “I think we keep our composure pretty well,” McCaffrey said. He thinks the most important aspect of sportsmanship is, “just trying to be nice to everyone, even if they’re saying stuff on the court.”
Along with maintaining their poise, they also have a shared sweet spot for the restaurant Red Robin.
As a team tradition, “we go out to Red Robin a lot after away games,” he said, “that’s always fun.” McCaffrey’s order depends on the day, but he often indulges in milkshakes with the others.
Outside of shared dinners, the varsity and junior varsity teams support each other, on and off the court. The two teams play each other often during practice. McCaffrey finds this helpful because “it’s like challenging you to do better,” he said. “I think that’s definitely helped our success.”
His favorite part about basketball is the community that comes with the team. He appreciates the good friendships of his teammates. However, he finds it difficult to spend time with other friends outside of his sport due to his lack of free time.
Despite basketball having a rigorous schedule, McCaffrey finds it easy to balance his academic schedule with his athletic commitments. “It’s not horrible, because then Saturdays kind of feel fun,” he said.
The weekdays are harder as his school expectations have risen for sophomore year.
“It’s a lot of work because you have to go to both games, and that’s a lot of time, and my classes this year have definitely been harder than last year,” he said.
He has a very high standard for himself when it comes to his academics. His own expectations and busy agenda keep him motivated.
McCaffrey’s favorite classes this year are Introduction to Design Thinking & Tools, taught by Innovation & Design teacher Ms. Carrie Coleman, and Leadership, taught by Director of Community & Student Leadership Ms. Adriana Noesi. “Ms. Coleman and Ms. Noesi are definitely [two] of the most fun teachers in the school,” he said.
Outside of his busy life, he enjoys traveling and listening to music. He supports the Portland Trail Blazers and University of Oregon Ducks basketball teams. “I feel like supporting your hometown is important,” he said.
He’s also excited to be attending a Kendrick Lamar and SZA concert, which will take place this upcoming May.
McCaffrey highly suggests to everyone that they try out for the basketball team in either November for the winter season or in June for the summer season.
He said new members will have “another community and family that they’ll have in their lives, that they won’t have if they don’t join the basketball team.”
