HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Boys
ConnerWeigman, Bridgeland
Notable: The four-star junior quarterback had 521 yards of total offense, completing 26 of 42 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns and rushing 16 times for 149 yards and three more scores, in a 49-42 win over Klein Cain.
What coach David Raffield said: “He was hot. He hit a little cold spell and then came back again, and that’s what champions do. But he came out and was ready to go, and he hadn’t played a game in 10 months — hadn’t even had any competition. That’s hard to do, so I’m so proud of all these kids.”
Other nominees
Damon Bankston, Paetow: In a 21-20 win over Barbers Hill, Bankston accounted for 243 all-purpose yards — 26 carries for 194 yards and a touchdown, three catches for 24 yards and a 25-yard return on special teams.
Denver Harris, North Shore: Harris nabbed two interceptions in a 38-21 win
over Shadow Creek, returning one for a 95-yard touchdown.
Carson Zahn, Memorial: In a 20-15 win over Seven Lakes, Zahn rushed for 211 yards and three touchdowns on 36 carries.
Girls
Paige Bernstein, College Park
Notable: Bernstein was one kill shy of a tripledouble in a five-set thriller against Magnolia on Saturday. She tallied 18 assists, 14 digs and nine kills for the Cavaliers, who snapped a three-match losing streak with a victory in which there were 37 ties and 22 lead changes.
What coach Candice Gibson said: “It was a great match. I loved the fight I saw (in Friday’s loss to Kingwood) and (Saturday against Magnolia). Every time we step on the court, we’re becoming better, which is obviously a goal. We’re learning to play together and finding leaders. I think it’s really important to find because we lost three big leaders last year. Everybody’s trying to kind of find their role. There’s things to work on, but I thought it was important for us to fight through and get the win.”
Other nominees
Gabrielle Hoots, Klein Oak: The junior finished the 5,000-meter course in 18 minutes, 22.81 seconds to win the College Park Invite on Saturday.
Maddy Hrncir, Needville: In wins over La Marque, Stafford, Kempner and Dulles, Hrncir averaged 12.3 kills and 15.8 digs. She also added three aces against Stafford. At 21-0, Needville is the state’s best Class 4A team.
Alexia Jones, Dawson: Jones had 18 kills and 23 digs against Clear Springs and 12 kills and 10 digs against Deer Park as Dawson improved to 6-0 with only one dropped set.