The Mount Vernon News sports department’s 10th ATHLETE OF THE WEEK nominations continue the established procedure of spotlighting student-athletes’ skills and performances on the fields and courts of action.
Based on performances, we ask ADs, coaches and the community to nominate one boy and one girl from their athletic programs to compete against other schools’ nominations. We ask for a recap of their worthy performances and a picture. Please send your nominations to me, Mike Blake, MVN Sports Editor, at mike.blake@mountvernonnews.com. Make sure YOUR school is represented.
This week, the sports calendar for local boys sports was light, and there were no Male Athlete nominees. On the girls' sports side, several basketball programs began their seasons, and there were a few stand-out performers from among dozens of talented, hard-working lady cagers.
In the season opener for the Cardington-Lincoln girls basketball team, the Lady Pirates took on the Ridgedale Rockets, and after a 10-10 first quarter, senior Beth Hardwick took control. She drilled three 3-point shots in the quarter, and Cardington-Lincoln never looked back. Hardwick then hit a three and a deuce in each of the next two frames for a 19-point outing, leading the way to a 58-26 Lady Pirates victory over the Rockets.
The 5-foot-9 senior was 5-for-7 behind the arc and in an all-around effort finished with seven rebounds, five steals and one assist. Cardington-Lincoln’s girls basketball coach Jamie Edwards said, “She sat most of the first quarter due to foul trouble (blocking fouls) but bounced back with a solid performance on both ends of the floor. Beth gave us a gritty performance. She picked the team up offensively when we were struggling from the field.
“Beth is a natural born leader, on and off the court, who has served as a captain the past two seasons," Edwards said. "We’d also like to congratulate her on her recent commitment to Kentucky Christian University”
Congratulations to Beth Hardwick, on being named this week’s MOUNT VERNON NEWS ATHLETE of the WEEK. Even in weeks with multiple nominees, she put in a standout performance worthy of accolades.
