J&C Athlete of the Week award returns. You can vote now
The Journal & Courier Athletes of the Week award series is making its return.
Each week the J&C will recognize the top high school and youth athletes based on what's been observed by sports reporters Samuel King and Ethan Hanson or recommendations by coaches, administrators, parents and fans.
Readers will get three days beginning Monday to cast their votes. Polls open every Monday after the story is released.
Six athletes are being recognized based on their accomplishments on the basketball court and wrestling circle.
One McCutcheon sophomore took home first place during a wrestling meet at Lebanon High School last Saturday, a Harrison senior forward led the Raiders to three commanding victories while a Faith Christian sophomore led her team to three straight wins last Monday, Tuesday and Saturday.
Two junior basketball players from Lafayette Jeff and Harrison went head to head last Friday and played games in East Chicago and Danville last Saturday. A Benton Central senior helped the Bison get on track last Saturday.
Here are the six male and female Greater Lafayette Area Athletes of the Week candidates.
Malachi King
School: Harrison
Sport: Basketball
Class: Forward
Team contributions: King has become the primary scorer for the Raiders this season. King has ended 2023 strong scoring 30 points and 10 rebounds last Friday to beat Lafayette Jeff 62-61 and scored 21 points in the Raiders' 59-57 road loss to Danville last Saturday.
Alonzo Clawson-Smith
School: Lafayette Jeff
Sport: Basketball
Class: Junior
Team contributions: Clawson-Smith is producing as a scorer, passer and defensive stopper for the Bronchos. Clawson-Smith was brilliant again scoring 28 points on the road against Harrison last Friday. His performance against the Raiders was followed by scoring 13 points with eight rebounds and seven assists to lead Lafayette Jeff over East Chicago Central 65-55 last Saturday. Clawson-Smith scored 13 points, had 13 steals and six assists on Dec. 2 against Renssalaer Central.
Michael Winchester
School: Benton Central
Sport: Basketball
Class: Senior
Team contributions: Winchester dazzled and recorded a double double and 20 points and 12 rebounds against Delphi last Saturday.
Riley Whitlock
School: Harrison
Sport: Basketball
Class: Senior
Team contributions: Whitlock isn't just a talented volleyball player. The Ball State signee can be a factor on the basketball court as well. Whitlock averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5.7 steals per game and shot 67% from the floor in double digit wins over Logansport 58-41 last Tuesday, 62-45 over Twin Lakes last Thursday and Lafayette Jeff 53-32 last Saturday. Whitlock's most impressive game was Twin Lakes on the road earning a near triple double with 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven steals. Harrison (8-4) has won five straight games since losing to Danville on Nov. 21.
Aaliyah McLean
School: McCutcheon
Sport: Wrestling
Class: Sophomore
Team contributions: McLean was dominant during the 5th annual Lebanon High School Girls Wrestling Invitational. McLean won four matches in one day — three pins and one technical fall to win the 115-pound division. McLean began wrestling at Wainwright Middle School in the sixth grade and doesn't have any club experience.
Maya Layton
School: Faith Christian
Sport: Basketball
Class: Sophomore
Team contributions: The Eagles have found their rhythm winning four straight games led by Layton. Layton scored 21 points, had six rebounds, five assists, five steals and two blocks in a 62-21 win over North Newton last Saturday. Layton also scored 25 points with five assists after setting a new program record of 45 points on 14-of-23 shooting against Tri-Central on Dec. 2.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: J&C Athlete of the Week award returns. Cast your vote.
