HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Boys
Ameer King, Brazosport
Notable: The senior running back carried 21 times for 236 yards and five touchdowns and caught four passes for 158 yards and another score in a 63-34 victory over Needville.
What coach Mike Ferrell said: “In our biggest game of the year, Ameer came up with his biggest game. He has had a spectacular year, with over 2,100 yards rushing, and nothing he does surprises me anymore.”
Other nominees
Jordan Cooper, New Caney: The senior quarterback threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns and carried 20 times for 207 yards and three scores in a 63-38 win over Crosby.
Trenton Kennedy, CyFair: The senior running back carried 31 times for 155 yards and three touchdowns and caught three passes for 83 yards in a 30-21 win over previously unbeaten Langham Creek.
Austin Ogunmakin, Hastings: The 6-3 senior wide receiver caught five passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns and carried four times for 80 yards and two scores in a 55-35 win over Dawson. Jason McDaniel
Girls
Courtney Heiser, The Woodlands
Notable: Heiser’s 16 kills and 11 digs were instrumental in pushing the Lady Highlanders to a fourth state tournament berth since 2010 after a four-set win over rival College Park in the Class 6A Region II championship game.
What Heiser said: “It was crazy. If we hadn’t won the second set, I don’t think we would have won the (match). The hitters just really stood up, and the defense was getting everything, and we just came out and delivered.”
Other nominees
Danielle Batenhorst, Seven Lakes: She had 28 kills and 10 digs in the Spartans’ five-set win over Clear Falls in the Class 6A Region III championship game.
Telisha Brown, Wheatley: Brown scored a combined 47 points in two games against Beaumont Legacy Christian and Mayde Creek, scoring 33 against the latter.
Lauren Freeman, College Park: She finished with 18 kills and 12 digs in College Park’s four-set loss to The Woodlands in the Cavaliers’ first regional championship game appearance. Adam Coleman