Athlete of the Week: Joe Padula
Slick-shooting guard has taken the pressure off Nathan Davis and become a quality scorer
Joe Padula is becoming the second scorer Bellwood-Antis needs.
Sophomore Joe Padula is a two sport athlete, with letters in both basketball and baseball.
This basketball season, as a starting guard, he is averaging 9.3 points per game.
On Monday, Padula scored 13 points and hit a pair of clutch foul shots with 30 seconds to play as B-A topped Penn Cambria in the first round of the District 6-AA playoffs.
After playing endlessly in the offseason, he is becoming a better player.
For these reasons Padula is the athlete of the week!
When not on the court, Padula is strong on the diamond, but baseball season might be eaten up a little by basketball. The Blue Devils are preparing to play Bishop McCort Saturday in the District quarterfinals.
BluePrint: How did you get involved with basketball?
Padula: I got involved with basketball by shooting on a fisher price basketball hoop when I was little.
BluePrint: Do you have any advice for younger players?
Padula: Don’t let anyone work harder than you.
BluePrint: How do you feel you’re improving as an individual? As a team?
Padula: We are all playing better by playing team defense and sharing the ball on offense.
BluePrint: How would you describe THE perfect basketball game for you as an individual?
Padula: The perfect game for me would be any game as long as we win.
BluePrint: You play McCort is next. Can you beat them?
Padula: Definitely.
BluePrint: What do you do in the off-season to improve your game?
Padula: I normally go to the rec center and play pick up.
BluePrint: Who is your biggest inspiration to you as a player and why?
Padula: Russell Westbrook is my inspiration. He plays with a ton of energy and plays well on both ends of the floor.
