After a large voting turnout among multiple nominees, Ava Heinz of Brimfield girls basketball and Tyce Albritton of Dee-Mack boys basketball won the CSM Winter Athletes of the Week in close races.
Voting closed at 6 PM on Wednesday and over 5,000 votes were recorded between the two polls.
Both athletes came up big and led their respective teams in their first games of the new year last week. Read more about Heinz and Albritton below, and the full list of nominees and their accomplishments can be found here.
Heinz won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after averaging 22 points in Brimfield’s pair of no-doubt wins last week. The junior, who was an AP Class 1A all-state honorable mention last year, shouldered the load for the Indians in a 59-19 win over ROWVA/Williamsfield on Jan. 3, then led the team with 19 in a 51-22 romp over Stark County on Jan. 6. Leading up to last week, Heinz averaged 10.5 points per game for Brimfield at the State Farm Holiday Classic and continued her strong play this week by leading the team with 17 in a win over Farmington on Monday and putting up 12 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in a win over North Fulton on Thursday.
Get to know Heinz in a Q and A here:
Q: What are your goals for the season?
A: “To win the regional championship!”
Q: If you were stranded on an island with a teammate, who would you want it to be and why?
A: “If I was stranded on an island, I would want Ava Simpson to be with me because she’s funny but also pretty scary and strong and could probably figure out foods for us to survive.”
Q: Favorite food?
A: “Texas Roadhouse rolls, easily.”
Q: I’d want concert tickets to see?
A: “Luke Combs or Rihanna because you gotta love them.”
Q: If I could have a superpower it would be?
A: “I would want super speed.”
Q: Who do you think is the greatest basketball player of all time?
A: “The greatest basketball of all time is of course Michael Jordan, a classic.”
Q: Who’s your role model and why?
A: “My role model is my dad. He’s my biggest fan and inspires me to be the best version of myself every single day and do things with my whole heart. He has taught me most things I know. I want to have his work ethic and help others as he does.”
Q: What’s been your favorite memory of the season so far?
A: “My favorite memories so far would be all the laughs and jokes with my teammates!”
Tyce Albritton won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after a dominant run in back to back days. The senior scored a torrid 29 points in a rivalry contest against Tremont on Friday night, then paced the Chiefs with 19 of their 50 points in a loss to Riverton on Saturday. Albritton and Dee-Mack picked up their second Heart of Illinois Conference win in a 52-42 decision against Fisher earlier this week.
Get to know Albritton in a Q and A here:
Q: What are your goals for the season?
A: “One of my goals for this season is to make a run in the postseason.”
Q: If you were stranded on an island with a teammate, who would you want it to be and why?
A: “Dalton Burr, because he has the most life skills on our team.”
Q: Favorite food?
A: “Chipotle”
Q: I’d want concert tickets to see?
A: “Travis Scott”
Q: If I could have a superpower it would be?
A: “Teleportation”
Q: Who do you think is the greatest basketball player of all time?
A: “Michael Jordan”
Q: Who’s your role model and why?
A: “My parents because they set a good example and push me to be great.”
Q: What’s been your favorite memory of the season so far?
A: “Dropping 29 points against Tremont.”
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