Dec. 16—The votes are in. Powered by Copper Creek Contractors, Addie Brooks of the St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ basketball team and Dierks Neukomm of the Cissna Park boys’ basketball team are this week’s winners. Here they are, in their own words, with their biggest supporters — their teammates:
Why she’s Athlete of the Week: Brooks drilled seven three-pointers in her 21-point outburst to lead the Spartans to a win over Oakwood. The next day, she scored 12 points in a win over Danville, continuing her shooting barrage from beyond the arc.
From Brooks: “I was very thankful and humbled to be nominated and win this award. I can’t thank my teammates enough for putting me in this position to earn this honor. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them. … It feels like all the work you put in paid off, but it really was all my teammates. They were the ones finding me the whole game, and I wouldn’t have been able to get open or hit those shots without them.”
My favorite movie is … “Grown Ups.”
My favorite musical artists are … Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and Megan Maroney.
My favorite sports team is … Illinois men’s basketball.
If I could have any superpower, it would be … flying so I could go anywhere I want whenever I want.
My pre-game routine is … I always have to eat a little snack, and then I listen to music and read the scouting report. I just keep it simple and lock in to the things I need to do to give the team a chance to win.
Our go-to post-win celebration is … going out to eat as a team. Nowhere specific, but we like to celebrate and enjoy the win together.
My biggest basketball superstition is … listening to music and doing my form shooting during warmups. “Headlines” by Drake is always on the playlist.
My favorite basketball memory is … last year when we upset the top seed in our regional to win the regional championship.
At the top of my bucket list is … attending a Duke-North Carolina men’s basketball game at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Athlete of the Week finalists: Clara Dempsey, Clinton basketball; Megan martin, Watseka basketball; Emily Miller, Sullivan basketball
Why he’s Athlete of the Week: Neukomm earned a spot on the Toyota of Danville Classic All-Tournament Team after averaging 23 points per game over four games for the Timberwolves. He also won the event’s Free-Throw Award, shooting 74 percent from the line.
Athlete of the Week finalists: Landen Lage, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/Fisher wrestling; Tanner Siems, St. Joseph-Ogden basketball; Cam Watkins Sullivan basketball.
