Athlete Spotlight is sponsored by Mojo Up Sports Complex.
Passion is an understatement when it comes to 8-year-old Emilia Heltsley. A third-grader at St. Louis de Montfort, Heltsley splits her time between basketball and soccer, playing for Showtime basketball and Indy Premier. Her talent shines brightest at the Mojo Up Sports Complex in Noblesville, where she has been honing her skills.
“I have played at Mojo for half my life, since I was 4 years old,” she says. “Mojo Up Sports Complex is my second home.”
Over the years at the facility, Heltsley has accumulated a treasure trove of memorable moments; one is simply being an unwavering teammate who is always eagerly supportive, while the other is a more specific moment that will be hard to forget. “I hit a buzzer beater, and my team won the game,” she says.
This moment encapsulates her dedication and love for basketball, a sport that has taught her the importance of focus and relentless practice, much like her idol, Kobe Bryant.
Heltsley’s proudest achievement, however, isn’t a single game-winning shot or even the four IYBL tournaments her teams have won. It’s her role as a supportive teammate. She takes pride in always being there for them, lifting their spirits and fostering a positive team environment.
Her coach, Eric Schellhammer, has been instrumental in this aspect of her development as he’s known for his encouragement and unwavering support. “Coach Eric does all of these things,” she says. “He encourages me and cheers me on, and has given me the chance to learn from my mistakes. The first time I fouled out of a game, I was very upset, and Coach Eric calmed me down and encouraged me.”
This turned the moment into a learning experience and reinforced her passion for the sport – a passion ignited early on by her parents.
“When I was little, my parents would take me to Purdue basketball games,” she says. “I actually got the opportunity to shoot around and play basketball on the court at Mackey Arena.”
Beyond basketball, Heltsley is an avid soccer player for Indy Premier and also participates in volleyball for her school. Her academic interests are as diverse as her athletic ones, with math and religion being her favorite subjects.
But it all comes back to where she’s been the most, that second home and that place where she feels a sense of community and belonging. Whether it’s interacting with the Showtime coaches, training with M14 trainers, or simply enjoying her favorite treats while watching a game, Mojo Up is a haven where she can immerse herself in the sport she loves.
