Alex made the local Sports Newspaper!

Alex was interviewed by a news reporter and this is a translated version of the article.  Thank you, Kumi!  We think it is hilarious how an arrow is pointed at him in the picture like it isn't obvious!  His name is also written in big blue letters on the right hand side.

"It has been 2 years since Gyoshu High has made it to the best 8 of the region.  There is a player who is from the country of basketball, the U.S.A.  His name is Alex Polikaitis (Gr. 11).  You would think that he must have trained intensively to play basketball in the U.S.A however, he started playing basketball when he came to Japan.  He is an unusual player.  Even though he has not played before, he uses his height well and he is now a core player on the team who has led the team to win.  He is close to 2 meters high. Basketball suits him the best more than anyone. Everyone thinks that he is from overseas and he must have been playing basketball for the longest time.  "I started playing basketball when I came to Japan" Alex said.  He entered Gyoshu because his parents were hired by the school.  He came to Japan in term 2　of  Grade 9.  One of the teachers recommended that  he join the basketball team and he did. Coach Kano knew straight away he could and would be using him in the team greatly.  However, he was tall but he was a beginner basketball player then.  The coach said, "He was not a good player at the beginning.  The more he played in the games, the better he became."  Alex still misses shots but he has grown and improved so much.  The coach said," He has improved lots and scores a lots too. Alex  has played a big role in this tournament and as a result my team has made it to the Shizuoka Prefectural level."  His favorite player is Pau Gasol. We thought that his dream was to become a basketball player.  Alex's dream is to become a film director.  Many things about him are unexpected surprises.  They will be playing against Hamamtatsu Shojo School.  "I will do my best there."  Alex said.  He is a great player and he has led the team to the prefecture level."