Vote now: Who should be the WaFd Bank Washington High School Athlete of the Week (12/18/23)?
Here are the candidates for the WaFd Bank Washington High School Athlete of the Week for Dec. 11-Dec. 16 as nominated by fans, readers and SBLive’s staff. Read through the nominees and cast your vote at the bottom of the page. Voting will conclude on Sunday at 11:59 p.m. and the winner will be announced Tuesday, Dec. 26th. If you would like to make a nomination in a future week, please email athleteoftheweek@scorebooklive.com or tag us on Twitter or Instagram at @sblivewa.
THIS WEEK’S WAFD BANK WASHINGTON ATHLETE OF THE WEEK NOMINEES:
Editor’s Note: Our Athlete of the Week feature and corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. However, we do not allow votes that are generated by script, macro or other automated means. Athletes that receive votes generated by script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified.
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WASHINGTON NOMINEES
Javon Barbee, Franklin Pierce boys basketball: Guard went on fire with season-high 33 points and 12 rebounds in 2A SPSL win over Clover Park. Also had 27 points apiece against Fife and Sammamish.
Dawson Bouma, Lynden Christian boys basketball: During a 3-0 week against quality opponents, the guard registered 20-point games against Mount Vernon (27), Bellingham (22) and Kentridge (28), a 4A program.
Dalton Brown, Tahoma boys basketball: Big week for the senior forward, capped by his 30-point outing at the team's home holiday classic (Sefnco Showcase) in a win over Emerald Ridge. Also had 24 points against Pacifica Christian (Calif.) and 23 points against Kennedy Catholic.
Julia Dalan, W.F West girls basketball: Broke the program's single-game scoring record with 38 points (18-of-28 shooting) and also had 20 rebounds and nine blocked shots in a non-league win over Montesano (and her cousin).
James Grose, Napavine boys basketball: In a 2B showdown between ranked teams, the Tigers guard erupted for a game-high 36 points, including six 3-pointers, in a win over Toutle Lake. He also had eight rebounds and six assists.
Lane Hedrick, Chiawana boys wrestling: Riverhawks senior pinned his way through the 285-pound bracket at Tri-State, defeating Mead's Markus Fetcho in the finals in 1:08. Three of his four matches did not get out of the first round.
Zach Luz, Mount Rainier boys basketball: Senior guard had a night to remember - season-high 39 points on 15-of-17 shooting and 11 rebounds in a win over Chief Sealth.
Soraya Ogaldez, North Thurston girls basketball: While the Rams keep piling up wins - this junior guard keeps racking up 30-point games. She matched her season high with 33 points in a win over River Ridge (fourth consecutive 30-point game), then added 26 points in 3A SSC showdown win over Peninsula.
Libby Roberts, University girls wrestling: Again, competing in an all-boys bracket, the junior placed seventh in the 106-pound bracket at Tri-State, winning five of seven matches. She was the tournament runner-up in 2022.
Layne Rogel, Ellensburg girls basketball: Junior scored a team-high 19 points against ranked 4A Chiawana, earning the team's 54th consecutive victory, which is a Yakima-area record.
Jeroen Smith, Mead boys wrestling: In arguably the toughest Tri-State weight class, Smith defeated two reigning state champions from Washington, and was ahead of two-time Idaho champion Matthew Martino, of Bishop Kelly, in the 152-pound finals before being disqualified because of an illegal move.
