Here’s who readers chose as the top prep holiday tournament performer in southwest IL
In the latest Belleville News-Democrat sports poll this week, we asked readers to cast their vote for the top performer from the recent holiday tournament circuit.
And when the finally tally was settled, readers selected Althoff’s Jordan Lewis, who scored 31 points in the Crusaders’ 56-55 loss in the 11th place game at the Prairie Farms Collinsville Holiday Classic. Lewis, a senior guard, secured 57% of the votes to prevail.
Lewis currently is averaging 15.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.76 assists and 2.53 steals per game for the Crusaders.
Here were the other candidates:
- Sam Donald, Columbia High School, sophomore, G. Donald scored 21 points in the championship game of the Freeburg-Columbia Holiday Tournament in helping the Eagles to a 60-55 victory and the tournament crown.
- Shannon Dowell, O’Fallon High School, senior, SG. Dowell scored 26 points in a 52-51 championship game loss to Alton in the Mascoutah Invitational Tournament.
Norah Gum, Waterloo High School, senior, F. Gum scored 16 points in leading the Bulldogs past Althoff 49-46 in the championship of the Waterloo-Red Bud Holiday Tournament.
- Kameron Hanvey, Gibault Catholic High School, senior, G. Hanvey scored 21 points in the Hawks’ 70-55 3rd place game victory in the Freeburg-Columbia Holiday Tournament.
Gavin Kesler, Gibault Catholic High School, junior, F. Kesler scored 21 points in the Hawks’ 70-55 3rd place game victory in the Freeburg-Columbia Holiday Tournament.
Alyssa Lewis, Alton High School, junior, G. Lewis scored 15 points in helping the Redbirds defeat O’Fallon 52-51 in the Mascoutah Invitational Tournament championship game.
Dylan Murphy, Columbia High School, senior, forward. Murphy posted 20 points in the championship game of the Freeburg-Columbia Holiday Tournament in helping the Eagles to a 60-55 victory and the tournament crown.
Bella Peterson, Althoff Catholic High School, senior, G. Peterson posted 15 points in a 49-46 championship game loss to Waterloo at the Waterloo-Red Bud Holiday Tournament.
Jordan Pickett, Belleville East High School, senior, G. Picket posted 24 points in helping the Lancers cruise past Rockford East 82-54 in the 3rd place game of the Prairie Farms Collinsville Holiday Classic. He also was named tournament Most Valuable Player.
- Cole Stuart, Freeburg High School, junior, guard. Stuart posted 26 points in the championship game of the Freeburg-Columbia Holiday Tournament — a 60-55 loss to Columbia — and helped his team to a 2nd place finish.
- Grace Wilke, Highland High School, senior, G. Wilke scored 31 points in the consolation championship of the Mascoutah Invitational Tournament in helping the Lady Bulldogs to a 56-42 victory.
Kolby Wilmoth, O’Fallon High School, senior, F. Wilmoth scored 16 points in helping the Panthers capture 7th place at the Prairie Farms Collinsville Holiday Classic with a 62-51 win.
The poll ended at 8 a.m. Friday.
To be clear, this poll is not scientific. In fact, we invite you to vote as many times as you want. It’s all for fun, BND readers.
The next boys and girls Player of the Week polls will appear on the BND’s website — www.bnd.com — at 5 a.m. Wednesday. Please email nominations to gvartanian@bnd.com.
Previous poll winners: Taylor Smith of Belleville East High School; Cole Stuart of Freeburg High School; Dylan Murphy of Columbia High School; Clareece Davis of Althoff Catholic High School; and the Freeburg-Columbia Holiday Tournament.