Archbishop Carroll’s Erin Sweeney is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week

The senior guard, a repeat first team All-Catholic League selection, is averaging 15.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 2 apg for the Patriots, who advanced to the PIAA 5A girls’ basketball state quarterfinals. As a junior, she averaged 20 points and five rebounds per game, leading the Patriots to the PIAA 5A state championship final. Sweeney will be playing basketball for Drexel University next fall.

Q: What do you think is the strongest feature of your game? What aspect of your game are you working on most currently?

A: The strongest feature of my game is I am able to help my team in different ways. If my shot is not falling, I am still able to contribute by rebounding and setting up my teammates for scoring opportunities. Most currently, I am working on becoming more confident in my ball-handling and making my three point shot quicker and more consistent. 

Q: What has been your favorite memory of Carroll’s basketball season to date?

A: My favorite memory this season was Senior Night. After the game, they had a really nice celebration for myself and my fellow senior Hope Syron. The families did so much to make it special for Hope and I and it is something I will never forget. 

Q: As one of the team’s leading seniors, how did you view your leadership role this season? What (in your opinion) has been the best attribute of the Carroll team this season?

A: As a senior, I felt it was important to stay positive even if things didn’t go our way and to keep everyone’s confidence up. I think our best attribute has been the way we have stayed together even through some tough losses and got to the state quarterfinals and hopefully get the chance to go further (as of March 23). 

Q: Who is your favorite basketball player and why?

A: My favorite player is Sabrina Ionescu because she is so tough and I admire the way she works so hard and pushes herself to be the best she can be. 

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.

A: On game days, I usually listen to music with my teammates in the locker room and try to get myself focused for the game. 

Q: Who have been your most influential basketball mentors, and what was the most important thing each of them have taught you?

A: My most influential basketball mentors have been the Shields family. Mr. Shields was my coach in grade school and taught me how to have more confidence on the court. At Carroll, Mrs. [Renie] Shields and Erin have dedicated so much of their time into helping me become a better player and have always believed in me. They were all great players and also great people and role models. I cannot thank them enough for everything they have done for me. 

Q: What is your favorite course at Archbishop Carroll? What do you think you’d like to major in at Drexel University? Is there a career path that particularly interests you at the present time?

 A: My favorite class at Carroll so far has been my Anatomy and Physiology class. At Drexel, I plan to major in health sciences and hope to get into the career path of physical therapy. 

Fun facts – Erin Sweeney

Favorite book: Harry Potter series. 

Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds.

Favorite movie: Silver Linings Playbook. 

Favorite athlete: Nick Foles.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Uproar by Lil Wayne. 

Favorite team: Sixers.

Favorite place to visit: Sea Isle City, N.J. 

Favorite pre-game meal: Clif bar and a banana.

Person I most admire, and why: “The person I admire most is my mom, Tara, because she always has faith in me and she has sacrificed so much for me and my basketball career.” 

Family members: parents Joe and Tara, sister Maggie and brother Aidan. 

(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)