N3 Players of the Week

Jaylee Long

Braiden McDonald

Ashton Stephens

By N3 Sports Team

If you love the sights and sounds of basketball being played in our local gyms you also are aware of the hard work and perseverance that goes into wearing those unis on winter evenings.
Whether a starter, a role player or one of the players who primarily provide preparation during practices, these cagers all need to be recognized for their efforts.

N3 will be selecting a Player of the Week from both the Girls and Boys teams. Whether nominated by a coach or chosen by our contributors we will strive to highlight some of the hoop heroics that fill those local gyms we mentioned.

This week's choices were made based on the season’s start to this past Friday.

Jaylee Long, Newaygo
The senior in her 4th Varsity season has helped her team run off to a 5-0 start to the season. Averaging 20 points a game while dishing out the dimes to her teammates and grabbing her share of boards, Long exudes confidence on the floor and remains a key cog on a talented Lion squad.
Coach Thomasma:“Jaylee kept us consistent on the court all the while dealing with a pretty big shiner on her eye.”
Ms. Long took a hard elbow just above the eye in a recent game but battled on despite the irritating inconvenience of substantial swelling.

Braiden McDonald, Fremont/Ashton Stephens, Newaygo
We could not resist naming co-players of the week after seeing Editor Mercer’s account of the game within the game between them last week.
“Then the third quarter happened. Braiden McDonald of Fremont and Ashton Stephens of Newaygo may well have been in a 1 on 1 offensive battle. The two leaders went back and forth , draining everything they touched.” 
Stephens and McDonald have continued to light it up since their duel when they combined for 65 points and they will meet once again on March 3rd at Newaygo.

We know many of you cannot attend the games due to the current restrictions but you can still support your fave teams. Check out  this article to find your way into the gym of your choice.
https://www.nearnorthnow.com/sports1/where-to-catch-the-action
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The shiner.