D9Sports.com/EYT Media is doing a series of player profiles on returning high-school athletes this summer. The year in school listed by the athlete is the year the athlete is entering this fall.
(Submitted photo. Photo courtesy Chris Wechtenhiser/Courier Express)
CHELSEA DESALVE – SENIOR – DUBOIS
Daughter of: Robert and Wendy DeSalve
Sports Played: Basketball
Family Members Playing/Played Sports: Her dad wrestled and played football at DuBois. Her sisters, Kelly and Dayna, played basketball and participated in track and field at DuBois.
2017-18 Highlights: She was the second-leading scorer for DuBois at 13 points per game and had a season-high 23 points vs. Central Mountain while also scoring 21 vs. Indiana. She was named the team MVP and was also on the D9 League All-Star team while earning All-Tournament recognition at both the Marion Center Tournament and the Brookville Tournament.
Post-High School Plans: She is planning on going to college to study pre-law or political science followed up by law school. She is not exactly sure where she wants to go yet, but she is very interested in further pursuing basketball in college.
Q&A With Chelsea DeSalve
D9Sports: What is your favorite sport to participate in and why?
CD: Basketball, because I have been working at it since a young age, and I love playing the game.
D9Sports: What is your favorite memory, moment, game from playing high school sports?
CD: I would have to say my favorite memory was during my sophomore year. We were having a rough start to the season. We were currently 0-5 going into the Holiday Tournament in Brookville so our confidence was down. Of course our first game was against one of our biggest rivals, (DuBois) Central. And we were all pumped up and ready to play. After a hard fought battle, we were able to secure the win 33-30 and then win the tournament by beating Brookville the next day.
D9Sports: Why do you play high school sports?
CD: I play high school sports because they keep me happy and focused along with giving me the feeling of success. Basketball keeps me in shape, teaches me how to think in the moment, gives me confidence and allows me to make new friendships that will last
forever.
D9Sports: Who has had the most influence on your athletic career and why?
CD: My father has had the most influence on my basketball career because he has always stood by my side throughout the long and tiring process. Although my dad pushes me like no other, he was a D1 college athlete and has trained me to be the athlete I am today. I would not have wanted to spend countless hours in the gym and weight room with anyone else.
D9Sports: Do you remember the first sport you played and did you like it right away or did it grow on you?
CD: The first sport I played was basketball, and I did enjoy playing as soon as I started because both of my older sisters were currently playing it and I was able to try and catch up to them.
D9Sports: Do you have a favorite number for a uniform? If so, what is the story behind that number?
CD: My favorite number on a uniform has to be 21. It was the first jersey I grabbed in seventh grade and there was no way I was changing my number after that.
D9Sports: What would someone who doesn’t know you be surprised to find out about you?
CD: I think people would be surprised to find out I taught myself how to play the ukulele. It’s very therapeutic and relaxing to play and sing.
D9Sports: If you could eat dinner with anyone famous (living or dead) who would it be and why?
CD: I would go out to eat with Geno Auriemma because it would be so worth it. I would just listen to him talk and sponge up all his basketball knowledge. We have similar personalities since we both tell it like it is. I would make sure to hear his honest opinion of my current skills and ask him how I can get better.
D9Sports: Iphone or Android or Neither and why?
CD: Iphone definitely because it was the first brand of smartphone that I got and it works like no other.
D9Sports: What is your go-to Social Media and why?
CD: I would have to say Instagram because I am able to stay up to date with friends and family that do not live close by.
D9Sports: What do you like most about high school and why?
CD: I love all of the memories I have been able to make in high school. From Friday night football games and cookie runs during tutoring, to late night bus trips on the way home from a basketball game, everything was good coming out of high school, and I give all the credit to my amazing friends.
D9Sports: What do you like least about high school and why?
CD: Tests. My least favorite thing in the world is to study for tests. I honestly would rather have homework every night than to have to study.
D9Sports: What question do you wish I would have asked you? And what is the answer to it?
CD: I wish you would have asked me what my most embarrassing moment was in my basketball career. Well, it was this year actually when I was playing with my AAU team (the Rising Stars) at a tournament in Cleveland. We were trying to run a fast break
press breaker and I got the ball and turned and threw the ball as soon as I THOUGHT I
saw my player. But actually, I just threw the ball, full force, at the referee!! It was so
embarrassing.
