Freshmen on varsity sports teams is not something you see often, especially not in basketball. Having to face guys up to three years older than you can be daunting. You need to have skills to keep up with the speed of the game, and the speed of the players. But for ETHS freshman guard Ben Ojala, playing on varsity is just another way of displaying his skill.
“I went in kind of blindly. There were a few sophomores I knew but really, just playing with the team over the summer helped us build chemistry, build that brotherhood,” said Ojala.
Being a freshman, you get treated differently than others on sports teams, especially if you’re on varsity. Not only by teammates but sometimes coaches may be particularly tough on freshmen who are punching above their weight. In Ojala’s mind, Evanston Head Coach Mike Ellis has been pretty tough on him in his first year at Evanston.
“The coaches– they’re hard on everyone, but I think they’re especially hard on me because they know I have a future. I feel like they see, I guess, greatness, the greatness I have, and that has really pushed me to be the best player I can be,” remarked Ojala.
The coaches aren’t always tough on Ojala, though. They appreciate the hard work that the freshman has put in in his first season and make sure to give him props when it’s due.
“Nothing bothers him, nothing gets to him. He’s a very focused kid; he’s focused on what he wants, and he’s very intent,” said Assistant Coach Donte Johnson “That’s a man on a mission, and that’s huge for a fifteen-year-old. He’s about business.”
Ojala’s teammates also think very highly of him. Even though he is a couple of years younger than most of his teammates, he still blends into the team and aligns with their goals
“He’s a very smart player, very skilled player, and he works hard. Pretty much all you can ask for,” commented senior guard Theo Rocca.
But, just like all great stories, it wasn’t always easy for Ojala. When he first got to the Evanston campus, he unexpectedly went through some growing pains. The coaches were patient with Ojala and continued to trust the process.
“In the beginning, he was kind of shaky. He’s a freshman trying to fit himself into a role. He’s trying to be part of the puzzle. He’s had to figure some things out,” voiced Johnson.
“But [fast forward to now] and he almost won practice this week,” Johnson said, referencing the team’s stats from practice from the week.
The coaches are recognizing his hustle, which has earned him a few starts this season. In a game against Maine East, he scored 13 points, shooting 83 percent from the field and went three for four from behind the arc.
Ojala doesn’t just stand out on the court. He’s in advanced classes, keeps good grades, and is always a friendly face to see in the hallway. Along with these characteristics, Ben has a willingness to get better every day and prove himself.
To excel at the varsity level, you need to be very skilled. Luckily, Ben does not have to worry. “He is definitely at the same skill level and somewhat more than others. I’m not gonna say names, but he took some guys to work this summer, and early in the season. He’s a big-time player, and he’s going to be big for us in the coming years,” said Johnson.
Ojala put his skills to use during a recent game against Glenbrook South. The Kits were up two with five seconds left in double overtime. Sophomore Vito Rocca threw the ball to Ojala in the corner, and it was barbecue chicken from there.
But, it isn’t just Ojala’s play that makes him stand out on varsity.
If you want to be an all-time great at basketball, you need a nickname. All of the stars have one: Chef Curry, Black Mamba, King James – the list goes on and on. And Ben certainly has his: Ben Ojelly.
“When I was in fourth or fifth grade I was trying to come up with an Instagram handle. I was thinking about things basketball-related, and it was jelly, the finger roll layup, and it fit my last name. I was like ‘Yea, why not?’ and it’s just grown over the years,” said Ojala.
Basketball is arguably the most popular sport at ETHS right now, so being a freshman on the team, you need to get your name out there somehow. Having a great nickname like he does really helps him out with that.
As the season unfolds, Ojala continues to prove that he belongs. If you haven’t seen the freshman cook on the court yet this season, make sure to come out to the game and witness history. Ben Ojala is not just another freshman playing at the varsity level – he’s Ojelly.
