HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Boys
Zach Evans, North Shore
Notable: The sophomore running back rushed for 232 yards and seven touchdowns (18, 16, 7, 3, 5, 79 and 16 yards) on 17 carries, powering the Mustangs’ 52-21 win against Clear Springs in the 6A Division I area playoffs.
What coach Jon Kay said: “This is a game where he got 17 carries, and I don’t think I’ve ever been around a kid with seven touchdowns on 17 carries, especially against the level of competition that Clear Springs supplied. So the O-line blocked well for him, and he ran his tail off.”
Other nominees
Devon Achane, Fort Bend Marshall: The sophomore running back had eight receptions for 87 yards and one touchdown and six carries for 63 yards and two scores in a 62-35 win over New Caney in the 5A Division II area playoffs.
D’Shawn Jamison, Lamar: The senior cornerback supplied a boatload of big plays in a 36-29 win over Ridge Point, including an 82-yard touchdown return on the opening kickoff, an 8-yard TD run for his first offensive score of the season and a key red-zone interception.
Matt Slayton, Kingwood: The senior quarterback threw for 104 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 103 yards and two scores in a 38-30 win over Clear Lake, sending the Mustangs to the third round of the playoffs for the first time in 27 years.
Girls
Ariana Taylor, Wheatley
Notable: The UTEP signee scored 23 points and 17 points, respectively, in wins over Georgetown and Lutheran North.
What coach Dedreck Carr said: “Her biggest thing is she talks on the court and she’s a person that’s constantly always putting in work. When she leaves my practice, she trains with her trainers. She’s constantly putting in work and her work is showing.”
Other nominees
Dymond Gladney, Clear Springs: The University of Houston signee scored 16 points with five steals in a 45-28 win over North Shore, then scored 33 points in a 68-55 win over Westside.
Rori Harmon, Cypress Creek: The freshman helped 19th-ranked Cypress Creek to an 8-0 start with 27 points and eight steals in an 88-37 win over Magnolia.
Paris Nethlerly, Crosby: The Florida International signee’s team-high 20 points in a 49-41 win over Kingwood gave Crosby its 10th win of the season.