Thomas Jefferson High School junior Alisha Saucedo, basketball, was selected as the Federal Way Mirror Female Athlete of the Week for Jan. 3.

Q: What is your favorite subject/class in school?

A: History and English.

Q: What other activities/hobbies do you enjoy?

A: Doing crafts with my sister.

Q: Person who has helped you succeed the most?

A: My mom and dad.

Q: The best advice I’ve ever been given by a coach is:

A: “Be confident.”

Q: Describe your pre-game ritual and your favorite post-game meal.

A: On the white board prior to the game, our coach writes “play together, play hard, play strong and don’t stop.” Then with one minute before warm up, we gather in a circle as a team with a basketball in the center and we all stretch. In the circle, we discuss our team goal for the game and hype each other up one last time.

Q: Song you currently can’t stop listening to?

A: “Santa Baby” by Ariana Grande.

From the sideline: TJHS junior Alisha Saucedo has been a huge part of the Raiders’ success so far this year. As one of the captains, she shows the leadership that is required on and off the court. She is the varsity girls basketball team’s No. 1 defender in the system. She has had success in the early stages of the season with an average of 10 points, 4.3 rebounds and two steals a game. This shows how valuable she is to our continued push for the post season playoffs.