The Journal Star has unveiled the nominees for the girls athlete of the week, covering performances from February 9 to February 14, 2024. Presented by CEFCU, this initiative celebrates outstanding achievements in high school sports. Fans are encouraged to vote at www.pjstar.com/sports, with the poll closing at noon on Friday.
One standout from last week was Saniyah Jones from Peoria High’s basketball team, who helped her team secure a perfect 3-0 record. Jones reached a significant milestone by surpassing the 1,000-point mark in her varsity career. She scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a decisive 49-20 victory over ROWVA/Williamsfield. Her impressive week continued with a double-double performance—12 points and 11 rebounds—against Lewistown, contributing to a 53-25 win on Thursday. Jones capped off her week with nine points in a 45-29 Class 1A regional quarterfinal win against South Fulton.
Another nominee, McLaughlin, delivered record-setting performances for her team. She achieved an unusual double-double with 11 blocks and 13 rebounds in a game against Fieldcrest, leading her team to a comfortable 72-46 victory. Her contributions included scoring 12 points in a crucial win over Fisher, helping Tremont achieve a score of 62-37.
In significant basketball achievements, Tibbs showcased her skills by scoring a game-high 34 points as the Class 3A top-ranked Panthers defeated Class 4A third-ranked Aurora Waubonsie Valley with a final score of 71-58. This performance marked her 2,000th career point, making her a notable contender for the athlete of the week title.
In wrestling, Hedges clinched the 115-pound weight division title with an 18-13 decision victory during the championship match against Streator sophomore Laila Vaughn. Earlier in the competition, Hedges dominated with an 18-2 tech fall over Bloomington freshman Autumn Starr, after starting her journey with a quick 55-second pin against LaSalle-Peru sophomore Emily Lowery.
Another wrestling contender, Sutton, who is aiming to become the second girls wrestler from her school to medal, secured a spot in the upcoming state finals despite a narrow 5-3 loss in the title match. Her path to the final included a notable 2:52 pin over LaSalle-Peru freshman Audri Plut.
These athletes have demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication, making them strong candidates for the Journal Star girls athlete of the week. Voting is open until noon on Friday, and those with additional nominees can reach out via email at [email protected] or tag @pjstarsports on X.
For further updates, readers can follow Adam Duvall, a sports reporter for the Journal Star, on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
