J'Shon Shaw with All Star award.
By OLIVIA YOKOYAMA
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Over the weekend Fort Hall Recreation hosted the Fort Hall Classic tournaments that brought teams from throughout the west and southwest.
One of the players that competed once again was J’shon Shaw. She’s been playing since she was young and has won an MVP award that came with a scholarship. Shaw has been playing ball since he was in the 12 to 14-year-old brackets and continues to play ball.
Her and her alumni team Red Storm decided to put a team in the 40 and over because they hold the title from last year’s Women’s 40 and over tournament and figured it would it be another fun experience. It would help motivate the girls to push one another and keep that security that they have for one another going.
“We all grew up together and basketball is what kept us together and basketball is what kept us out of trouble.” Shaw says. “Growing up into adulthood and having that role as a parent we should lead by example and keep these healthy lifestyles active, even though moving into the 40 and over division it gets harder but making that time to practice is a bit challenging because there is a lot of responsibilities.”
Her feeling of playing basketball makes her feel full of life have a healthy mind and body. She says it’s a sport that has kept her moving and not disappointed her. It’s a sport that has taught her so many values in life like disciplining herself to practice, stay active and be healthy, teaching her to be patient and some failure. Learning at a young age to play ball, she learned to value her health, hard work and to take every opportunity that is thrown at you.
She doesn’t have just one, but her top three favorite basketball players are Allen Iverson, former NBA professional basketball player, Dawn Staley- All American player and coach, and Gwynn Hobbs- former women’s basketball player.
Having the mentality of being a productive and positive person she wishes to keep her son and younger family members in the same lively lifestyle that she pursues too. She can’t wait to teach her youngest ones that basketball isn’t just a sport, it’s a sport that teaches you to lead by example. Just like her healthy habits and lifestyle Shaw will continue to play ball just as long as her vessels allows her to and hopes to host a clinic that’s open to anyone at any age and level.