Pequannock Basketball Star’s Record-Breaking Season

By Jillian Risberg

Pequannock Township High School junior Chloe Vasquez is breaking records this season where she is most at home, on the basketball court — in the sport that means everything to her.

“It shows the time and hard work I put into basketball in order to be successful,” Vasquez says, “as well as the commitment my whole family has made and how they, my team and coaches have all supported me.”

According to the basketball star, her best court takeaway is when she creates opportunities for her teammates.

“Also, the night I hit my 1,000th point with a free throw was an incredible feeling I will never forget,” she says.

She has been fortunate to have had amazing coaches — including John Griff. The New Jersey Panthers AAU coach has been influential to her game and to Vasquez as a person.

“He pushes me to be as successful as I can be with basketball and teaches me and my teammates a lot about life skills and leadership,” she says. She also has chemistry with her New Jersey Panthers teammates.

The minute they step on the court together it just clicks. Vasquez says they are great friends on and off the court, talented basketball players and a great group of girls. It has taken sacrifice, commitment and hard work to get to that level.

“You have to be willing to not give up and keep pushing yourself to get better all the time,” says the basketball star. “My drive comes from how much I love this game.”

Pequannock Township is a small school with great athletes who aren’t afraid to compete but are sometimes up against tough competition. Vasquez loves the atmosphere her coaches have created and the friendships she has made.

“I was fortunate to be named Captain in my Junior year and I am learning a lot about leadership from this experience,” she says. When her team doesn’t play well or she personally feels she wasn’t at her best, Vasquez encourages them and reminds herself to have ‘next-play mentality’ so they don’t get stuck in the moment.

“I focus and prepare myself to bounce back and learn from my mistakes to improve,” she says she is competitive and loves the pace of the game.

The standout says basketball is like chess; you have to be strategic and mentally prepared, in addition to being ready to be physically challenged.

Even in her down time, Vasquez likes to play and watch basketball.

Her advice for other young b-ball players hoping to break records is to set your goals high and push for more than you want to achieve.

“Keep practicing and working on your game, learn from experienced players and coaches,” she says listen and study the game. “In the long run it will bring you success.” As a child, Vasquez’s parents put her in various sports and she recalls the diversity of the game of basketball.

“It wasn’t just one move or play, you could be creative,” she remembers playing outside during school recess, at summer camp and the after school club.

The basketball star is excited for the upcoming AAU spring season where she and her teammates will compete at a high level.

“We are planning to win a lot this season,” says Vasquez. “And I am planning to grow and keep improving as a player.”