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SCARSDALE, N.Y. – Senior girls basketball star Shelby Zucker could always be counted on when coach Mike Blanco's team needed a big basket or defensive play.
In the final regular-season home game, Zucker closed out an outstanding four-year varsity career, scoring her 1,000th varsity point and a career-high 32 points to lead Scarsdale into the sectionals.
As a result of her excellent month, Zucker is The Scarsdale Daily Voice's February Student-Athlete of the Month.
“Shelby has routinely thrived in big games on both ends of the floor and provided confidence for those who play around her,” Blanco said. “Shelby is a tremendous role model for our younger girls, and she never backed away from a tough situation on the court.”
Zucker joined Hilary Howard, Jessica Conte, Whitney Davis and Jackie Alemany as the only Scarsdale girls basketball players to surpass 1,000 points.
“For me it was a great pleasure to see Shelby achieve the 1,000-point plateau,” Blanco said. “I have witnessed Shelby’s hard work in expanding her game every year.”
Zucker was a double threat every time she had the ball. If a defender gave her space, Zucker would make the perimeter jumper. Once the defender played her tight, Zucker would put the ball on the floor and take it to the basket.
“This was Shelby’s transformation which occurred after her sophomore year,” Blanco said. “She expanded her game to include the dribble drive. This was set up by her shooting ability from the perimeter.
“Shelby has worked hard at being a complete player. Her passing and rebounding this year, in particular, were outstanding.”
Zucker will attend Emory University in September and play basketball. Her impact on the Scarsdale program will not be forgotten.
“Shelby has meant a great deal to our program, and for me, she has been a once-in-a-lifetime player,” Blanco said.
The student athlete of the month is chosen by the sports reporters and editors of the Daily Voice
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