HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Boys
Kaleb Bailey, Fr., North Shore
Notable: The 6-1 quarterback hit David Amador on an 83-yard touchdown pass on the first snap of the game, starting an overpowering 49-21 win over Lake Travis in the Class 6A Division I semifinals. Bailey, who just turned 16, finished 8-of-11 passing for 122 yards and two TDs and added 13 rushes for 203 yards and two scores. He also connected with Amador for an 18-yard TD and rushed for a 32-yard score in the second quarter.
What coach Jon Kay said: “He is still a freshman in a lot of ways, but he sure knows how to compete and that is the biggest thing we can ask for.”
Other nominees Chris Johnson, Jr., Elkins: The 6-4 guard was named Fort Bend ISD tournament MVP after leading the Knights to the gold championship with a 5-0 mark. Johnson’s highlights included 27 points, 10 rebounds in a 77-49 win over Washington and 20 points, 11 assists and six steals in a 75-51 win over Klein Cain.
Luke Reder, Soph., Tomball Memorial: The 6-5 forward poured in 30 points in a 56-46 win over Conroe in the Montgomery Schurr Insurance Holiday Classic championship game.
Kole Wilson, Sr., Paetow: The 5-9 wide receiver returned a punt 57 yards for the Panthers’ first touchdown in a 73-14 win over Corpus Christi Flour Bluff in the 5A Division I semifinals. Wilson also caught scoring passes of 54 and 47 yards in the second quarter.
Girls
Melinda Winston, Soph., Hastings
Notable: The 6-1 guard led the Bears (16-4) to the Brookshire Royal tournament championship. Winston, who’s averaging 20 points, had 14 points, 17 rebounds and six steals in a 50-37 victory over Royal in the title game. She had 24 points, 12 boards and five steals in an earlier meeting with Royal and racked up 40 points, 11 rebounds and 11 steals in two meetings with Randle.
What coach Corey Brotherton said: “She was awesome in the tournament. She shot the ball really well, was a vocal leader on the floor, and when we needed a bucket from her, she was able to give us one.”
Other nominees
Brooklin Brown, Sr.,
Shadow Creek: The 5-10 guard produced 10 points, eight rebounds and five
steals in a 61-55 bounceback win over Beaumont United after falling to Summer Creek four days earlier.
Gabby Johnson, Sr., Fort Bend Austin: The 6-foot forward registered 17 points, 13 rebounds and five assistsk in a 65-48 win over Dulles and 18 points and six rebounds in a 63-43 win against Elkins.
Macy Spencer, Jr., Tompkins: The point guard poured in 26 points in a 56-49 win over Cinco Ranch in a District 19-6A opener.