YP Athletics Fireside Chat Featuring Coach Turi and Benny Mermelstein
Each month, we will chat with a different student-athlete to give you an inside look at the makings of a Panther! This month, Coach Turi chats with senior varsity basketball player Benny Mermelstein.
Coach Turi: How was the last year for you, being without basketball at school?
Benny: It was hard. I missed my brothers. We had a special bond sophomore year, but we will pick right back up where we left off this year, and hopefully win a league and state championship.
Coach Turi: Thoughts on the 2020 championship title chase with York your sophomore year?
Benny: It was definitely memorable. That championship loss hurt but we put together a memorable run. I watch the highlights of that game almost every day to see what we need to do to be successful next year.
Coach Turi: What have you done to stay in shape with your basketball aspirations?
Benny: I try to get in the gym every day, whether it is a basketball workout or a strength session. I try not to have a day where I sit around and do nothing. Most days I will get shots in during the morning before school and then after school get a lift in, do some homework and then go to AAU practice. This is the regimen that I have to keep up if I want to achieve my dreams of playing college basketball.
Coach Turi: What are your goals for your senior season?
Benny: Get to the 1,000 points mark for sure and win a league and state championship.
Coach Turi: Rapid Fire Questions! Say the first thing that comes to your mind:
Favorite NBA team? Knicks
Favorite NBA player? Kahwi Leonard
MJ or LeBron? MJ
Shaq or Kobe? Kobe
Pickleball or Badminton during PE? none of them
Instagram or TikTok? Instagram
Pizza or Chipotle? Pizza
Best lunch spot by York? definitely my crib
Favorite restaurant in NYC? Mezzaluna
Best place you’ve ever traveled to? Rome is my favorite city.
