Eric Andres was recently rewarded for being an outstanding basketball player in the 4A division and received an honorable mention award.
Photo by Mia Nogueira
On Friday, April 8,2011, Sophomore Eric Andres was rewarded for his eight years of hard work in basketball by receiving honorable mention on the 4A All State team in Colorado. Eric was also previously honored to be named to the Second Team All League All-Stars. “It was a surprise to me because my coaches never told me that I won it. My name just showed up on the big board they had, so that’s when I found out. It was really exciting for me,” said Andres.
Eric’s whole story begins in Opelousas, Louisiana on March 8, 1994. For his first six years of his life, Eric lived in Louisiana; however, Andres’ father was offered a better job in Denver, so the family packed up and moved. “I love Denver, and I like it better than Louisiana because I don’t really remember when I lived there. But I like all the friends that I have made here and the schools I have gone to,” said Andres.
Growing up, Eric wasn’t the only child, but that didn’t bother him. He is in the middle, with an older sister and a younger brother. His sister, Jasmine, is eighteen and out of high school; however, Eric’s younger brother is a Spartan himself. Trevon Andres is a freshman at TJ and says he is very grateful that he got to go to a new school that Eric attends. “Eric is always there when you need him the most, so going into a new school, especially high school, wasn’t too bad at all,” said Trevon.
For eight years now, Eric has been working on his skills as a basketball player. If it wasn’t for Eric’s parents, he may not have begun the sport as early as he did. “I love playing basketball because it helps me in so many ways. It really motivates me to keep my grades up. My mom and dad were the ones that showed me the passion for the sport, and I loved playing, so I kept with it,” said Eric.
Coming to Thomas Jefferson High School was always Andres’ plan. During elementary and middle school, Eric developed a group of friends, and they all came to TJ together. “I like TJ a lot, and I think the main reason is because of all the people I already knew. All my friends were at TJ and everyone knew me from basketball,” commented Andres.
Eric has many friends and a fun social life here at TJ, but he also enjoys his academics. The subject that seems to catch Eric’s attention the most is mathematics. “Math is my favorite and I think it is because I like to count money,” said Andres with a laugh. Eric has also participated in two different clubs while at TJ. Eric was in the Black Student Alliance Club and The Young Men’s Club.
Andres is only seventeen, but he is already thinking ahead to the future. “I would like to be able to go pro with basketball someday. If that doesn’t work for me though, my other option is to be a mechanical engineer.”
When Eric is not busy playing basketball, he enjoys relaxing and hanging out with his family. Eric says he and his family have developed a very strong bond over the years, and love to do things together. “In my spare time I like to just hang out with my brother and make time for my family. I always love to go to the movies or just relax at home,” says Eric.
Eric Andres has accomplished many things in his life so far, one of those being an Outstanding Player Honorable Mention Award. Eric says he enjoys being a Spartan and loves spending time with his friends and family. “I can’t wait to be on the basketball team next year and just have fun for the rest of my high school career,” said Eric.
