HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Boys
Cole Hammer, Kinkaid Notable: The senior, who is committed to Texas, shot 68 on the first day of the SPC championships and 67 on the second day for a 9-under total, leading Kinkaid to its third straight SPC title and seventh in the last nine years.
What coach Bobby Eggleston said: “Cole is a vibrant personality that brings out the best in all of his teammates. He’s a great golfer but he’s also a great young man. The University of Texas is getting a good player and the sky is the limit for him.” Other nominees
Parker DeLeon, Pearland: From the No. 9 spot, DeLeon went 4-for-4 with three triples and five RBIs, leading Pearland to an 11-4 win over Friendswood and a sweep in the bi-district playoffs.
Evan Minarovic, John Cooper: Minarovic went 7-for-13 at the SPC baseball championships in Dallas with two RBIs, two doubles and one triple. He also picked up a win in the first game on the mound in relief, pitching 41⁄3 innings while allowing two hits and striking out nine.
Bo Willis, Magnolia: Willis’ walk-off, threerun home run helped Magnolia defeat Elgin 5-3 in the Region III-5A bidistrict playoffs in Mumford.
Girls
Ashley Vallejo, Willis
Notable: Willis faced elimination after losing Game 1 of its area round playoff series to Jacksonville. But Vallejo turned in two complete games, allowing seven hits while striking out 29 batters combined in Game 1 and Game 2 as Willis won the series. Vallejo had 11 strikeouts in Game 2 and 18 in Game 3.
What coach Stephanie Shelly said: “She did a fantastic job. It just shows what a competitor she is. She’s really stepped up, especially in the last part of the season. She just has the total package.”
Other nominees
Aaliyah Garcia, Clear Falls: Clear Falls overcame a 3-0 deficit to knock off Dobie in the softball area round playoffs. Garcia’s two-run triple was the game winner.
Ronni Grofman, Kingwood Park: The sophomore’s complete game, one-hit shutout propelled Kingwood Park past Galena Park 11-0 in a one-game area playoff round.
Lesly Miranda, Atascocita: The sophomore was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs and a triple in Atascocita’s decisive 11-5 win over Pearland in Game 3 of the teams’ area round playoff series.