Basketball is a family affair
for Janaiah Elum

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Janaiah Elum might be one of the smallest girls on the basketball courts.
But that doesn’t stop her from coming up big.
The 5-foot-1 sophomore point guard at Northeast High School has averaged more than 12 points per game this year, helping the Vikings earn first place in the Philadelphia Public League AAAA Northern Division regular season.
"It’s a lot harder when you’re shorter because you can’t drive and the big girls can block your shots," said Elum. "But I’m working a lot on my jump shot, so if I’m open, I know it’s going in. We’re all working well together. We have a strong team."
Northeast was riding an impressive 13-game winning streak last month, when they lost, 45-28, to Central High School in the Public League semifinals on Feb. 18, bringing their regular season to a halt.
However, their superb antics this season earned the squad a 20-8 overall record and a spot to compete in the state playoffs, where they faced Great Valley on Friday night at Germantown High School.
Final score: Great Valley, 56; Northeast, 45.
Vikings’ senior forward Peaches Nesmith sunk a game-high 18 points for Northeast, with forward Satoria Bell contributing 14.
On Great Valley’s side, senior center Emily Ellisen led the squad with 16 points. Colleen O’Malley scored 11.
"I think we did good," said Elum. "We could have done better and I was upset we lost, but we had a good year."
Elum contributed six points in Friday night’s state playoff game, bringing her season total to 170.
But it’s no surprise the 16-year-old has such impressive skills on the courts.
After all, basketball is in her blood.
Her parents, Kevin and Colleen, were both standout basketball players during their high school days at Cheltenham High and Simon Gratz. Janaiah’s twin brother, Isaiah, was also a regular on the courts at Northeast, until he later decided to focus his attention on pursuing a career in theater.
The family tree of athleticism continues with Janaiah’s older sister, Jasmine, a 5-foot-5 senior at Bodine High School who recently scored her 2,000th career point.
"I’m proud of her and I’m really happy for her," said Elum. "We played one-on-one a lot when we were younger. I’m smaller than her, so playing with her helped me get better.
"She makes me want to try to do more and step my game up, so everyone can think I’m better than her," she continued with a smile. "Basically I got my skills from her, my dad and my mom. Everyone wanted me to go to Bodine, but I wanted to complete my own goals. I wanted to just do me."
Although she decided to team up with the Vikings, rather than following in her sister’s footsteps, Elum does have a familiar face on her home court.
Her cousin — and teammate — Satoria Bell is a senior forward on the Vikings squad. Bell has been a fierce asset to the team this year, averaging 17 points a game and helping the Vikings go undefeated in league play.
"I know Sic’s game and she knows mine," said Elum, referring to Bell by her nickname. "We played a lot together so I’m used to her game. I’m happy for her because she’s having a great season."
At most Northeast games this year, the cousins — who both reside in Northeast Philadelphia — seem to be accompanied by an entourage of family support in the stands.
"When my sister doesn’t have games, she’ll come support us and my brother and parents always come to watch me play," said Elum. "When they’re there, it makes me want to play harder, so I can show them that I got better. I’m happy that they’re there for me and give me advice and help me be a better player."
Elum first learned the basketball basics at the age of 7 and hasn’t stopped dribbling since. She got her start with the DBL Phoenix AAU squad in Germantown — when she played alongside cousin Bell. Since then, Elum has continued to improve her skills, earning a starting position on the Vikings varsity squad last year as a freshman.
"I practice every day," she said. "I practice with my dad. I practice with my team. I’ll practice by myself. I worked on this a lot, so I have confidence that my game would get better."
Elum has seized some golden opportunities to showcase her preparation this season, specifically during a very intense 53-51 victory over Central High School on Jan. 30.
She had five assists and 10 points on that memorable day, including a dramatic three-pointer with 22 seconds left to deliver the victory for Northeast and shatter the Lancers’ 100-game winning streak that was seven years in the making.
"When she’s on, she’s on," said Northeast coach Rich Kirk. "She makes some phenomenal plays and uses the floor well. She is a fighter and she never gives up."
Although Northeast’s dreams of championship triumph were cut short this year, they did enjoy that great winning feeling after beating Central.
And Elum was the star of the show.
"It felt good to knock their record off," she said. "That was a big goal this season. Now, I just want to work harder and get stronger. I want to step my game up even more." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com