County Athletes of the Week for Jan. 31-Feb. 6
Timpson and was named as the Shelby County Female Athlete of
the Week. Ty Hubbard of Center was named Male Athlete of the
Week. (Photo by John Krueger)
When good teams come down the stretch toward the playoffs, they look to their solid players to lift them up when they need a much-needed 'punch' on either offense or defense. But when great teams need something a little extra, players step up their game to a new level to help the squad in a big game. That's what this week's ShelbyCountySports.com Male and Female Athletes of the Week did in Shelby County when Ty Hubbard of Center and Ashlee Ray of Tenaha picked up their respective squads.
Hubbard and Ray lifted their teams to victory during the week of Jan. 31 through Feb. 6 and lifted their squads into 'playoff mode' as they prepared for the postseason. That's why they were honored for their drive and determination and they statistical output for this week.
Shelby County Male Athlete of the Week - Ty Hubbard (Center)
Center 6-1 junior wing player Ty Hubbard grabbed the spotlight for his long touchdown receptions during football season. Early on during the 2009-10 basketball season, he didn't get near as much ink as had in the fall, but he's come on as of late and begun not only lighting up the scoreboard, but making other big plays as well as CHS closed in on the league title. Hubbard scored 13 points, handed out six assists, recorded five steals and blocked one shot in the 'Riders' 64-58 overtime win over Rusk on Feb. 2. He followed that performance with 18 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, five steals and a blocked shot against Carthage in a 56-54 victory. For his play, Hubbard has been named the Shelby County Male Athlete of the Week.
Shelby County Female Athlete of the Week - Ashlee Ray (Tenaha)
There are solid performers who don't gain much recognition and then there are other players like Tenaha freshman Ashlee Ray who come out of nowhere when the team needs her most. The 5-6 freshman guard is a steady performer on the Lady Tiger team, but that doesn't always translate into points. It translated into a lot of points on Feb. 2 against Timpson when she poured in 33 points in a 72-39 Tenaha victory over the Lady Bears. Ray was all over the court, hitting 3-pointers, driving to the basket and hitting the boards. She scored nine points in each of the first three quarters to help her team to a big win and a 2-0 week. For her efforts, she has been named the Shelby County Female Athlete of the Week.
Individual School Honors
Center Female Athlete of the Week - O'Mattie Swindle
Center Lady Rider hoopster O'Mattie Swindle continues to pour in the points in a pair of games for the CHS varsity basketball team during the week of Jan. 31 through Feb. 6. Swindle scored 16 points, pulled down one board, handed out four assists and picked up a pair of steals in a 34-25 victory over Rusk on Feb. 2. Then she came back to score 15 points and pull down two rebounds as the Lady Riders dropped a 48-27 decision to Carthage on Feb. 5. She averaged 15.5 points and 1.5 rebounds for the week. For her performances at both ends of the floor, Swindle has been named the Center Female Athlete of the Week.
Joaquin Male Athlete of the Week - Smooch Wilson
Joaquin 5-8 junior guard Shamorin "Smooch" Wilson had a big week during the span of Jan. 31 through Feb. when he averaged 11.5-points, 6.0 rebounds and 5 steals per game for the Ram basketball team. Wilson hit 4-of-7 field goals and scored 10 points, while grabbing five boards and recording three steals in a 48-42 setback to playoff-bound Mount Enterprise on Feb. 2. Then he scored 13 points and pulled down seven boards and dished out seven assists in a 47-42 setback to Timpson on Feb. 5.
Joaquin Female Athlete of the Week - Peyton Rutherford
Joaquin Lady Ram 5-7 senior guard Peyton Rutherford scored in double-digits twice during the week of Jan. 31 through Feb. 6 and has been named the Joaquin High School Female Athlete of the Week for that span. Rutherford scored 12 points in a 38-29 Joaquin setback to playoff-bound Mount Enterprise on Feb. 2 and then added 11 points in a 56-45 loss at Timpson on Feb. 5. Rutherford has been a steady performer for JHS all season long, despite the team's struggles to get in the win column.
Shelbyville Male Athlete of the Week - Chris Thompson
Shelbyville 6-2 senior post player Chris Thompson has been named the Shelbyville Male Athlete of the Week for games played between Jan. 31 and Feb. 6. Thompson saw action in both Dragon games, leading the team in scoring against Newton on Feb. 5 when he scored eight points. He added 11 more in a 60-49 setback to San Augustine on Feb. 2. Thompson has played excellent defense all season long for the Dragons.
Shelbyville Female Athlete of the Week - Camory Bolton
Shelbyville 5-6 sophomore forward Camory Bolton has led the Lady Riders in scoring on a number of occasions this season, utilizing her quickness and ability to grab rebounds. Bolton paced SHS in both of their games during the week of Jan. 31 through Feb. 6, throwing in seven against San Augustine on Feb. 2 and adding eight points against Newton on Feb. 5. She has been named the SHS Female Athlete of the Week.
Tenaha Male Athlete of the Week - Jamon Moore
Tenaha senior guard Jamon (Jay) Moore could be known as a streak shooter. When Moore is 'in the zone', he's deadly; and even when he's not, he's dangerous. Moore scored 17 points against Timpson on Feb. 2 in the Tigers' 100-51 win over the Bears. He followed that up by scoring 14 points, while dishing out seven assists and adding five steals in a 72-39 win over Gary on Feb. 5. For his efforts he was named the THS Male Athlete of the Week for games played between Jan. 31 and Feb. 6.
Timpson Male Athlete of the Week - Daylon Hooper
Timpson senior post player Daylon Hooper was at the top or near the top of the team in scoring during the week of Jan. 31 through Feb. 6. Hooper averaged 15.5-points in the two contests as the Bears posted a 1-1 record. On Feb. 2, Hooper scored 14 points in a 100-51 setback to No.8-ranked Tenaha. Then he scored a team-high 17 points on Feb. 5 in Timpson's 47-42 win over Joaquin. He was named the THS Male Athlete of the Week.
Timpson Female Athlete of the Week - Tan Eaden
Tan Eaden is a quiet leader for the Timpson Lady Bear basketball team. She works hard on defense; she handles the ball against the press and scores when needed. During the week of Jan. 31 through Jan. 6, Eaden averaged 12.5-points in the two games. She scored 10 points in the Lady Bears' setback to district champion Tenaha, and then added 15 more in a 56-45 victory over Joaquin. For her play, Eaden has been named the THS Female Athlete of the Week.