After plenty of solid winter sports performers recently, here are the Journal Star high school girls athlete of the week nominees for Feb. 9-14, presented by CEFCU.
Head to www.pjstar.com/sports to vote. The poll closes at noon Friday. Information about the nominees is below.
If you have a nominee for the honor, email us at sports@pjstar.com or tag us on X @pjstarsports. Last week, Saniyah Jones of the Peoria High basketball team was named JS girls athlete of the week.
Joley McLaughlin, Lewistown basketball
The senior helped the Indians go 3-0 last week, while setting a career milestone in the process. McLaughlin scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds to beat ROWVA/Williamsfield, 49-20 on Wednesday. That point total gave her over 1,000-point mark in her time on varsity. She then posted a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds) as Lewistown beat West Prairie, 53-25 on Thursday. McLaughlin ended her week on Saturday with nine points in a 45-29 Class 1A regional quarterfinal victory over South Fulton.
Avery Jost, Tremont basketball
The junior put up some record-setting numbers in helping the Turks snap a four-game losing streak. Jost posted an unusual double-double (11 blocks and 13 rebounds) to beat Fieldcrest, 72-46. That block total set a program single-game mark. Her 12 points Feb. 9 gave Tremont a 62-37 win over Fisher for its first win since Jan. 26.
Avery Tibbs, Washington basketball
The senior put bow on an incredible regular season with two stellar performances. Tibbs scored a game-high 34 points as the Class 3A top-ranked Panthers knocked off Class 4A third-ranked Aurora Waubonsie Valley, 71-58. Her 27th point of the game turned out to be 2,000th career point. This came on the heels of Tibbs scoring 15 points in leading Washington to a 57-37 win over Morton on Tuesday to win the Mid-Illini Conference title outright.
Chloe Hedges, Canton wrestling
The sophomore cruised to a sectional championship on Saturday. Hedges (33-3), who is one of three Little Giant state qualifiers, won the 115-pound weight division off an 18-13 decision against Streator sophomore Laila Vaughn in the championship match. In the semifinals, Hedges scored an 18-2 tech fall over Bloomington freshman Autumn Starr. Hedges’ road began with a 55-second fall over LaSalle-Peru sophomore Emily Lowery in the quarterfinals.
Taylor Sutton, East Peoria wrestling
The senior is the lone Raiders state qualifier after a run to the 145-pound sectional championship match. Sutton (25-8), who looks to become the second EP girls wrestler ever to medal, secured her spot at the Feb. 27-28 state finals despite a 5-3 loss in the title match. Her road to the final included a 2:52 pin over LaSalle-Peru freshman Audri Plut in the semifinals. Sutton began her day with a quarterfinal pin in 3:49 over Sterling sophomore Vivianna Torres.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Vote for Journal Star girls athlete of the week for Feb. 9-14, presented by CEFCU
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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