Note: Bold athletes' names on first reference.
The Mount Vernon News sports department’s 12th ATHLETE OF THE WEEK nominations continue the established procedure of spotlighting student-athletes’ skills and performances on the fields, mats 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 picks up, and for local boys we have two basketball players and a wrestler nominated. On the girls’ side, we have a basketball leader.
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
In Mount Vernon’s girls basketball team victory over Centerburg, 52-39, senior McKenna Brokaw scored 21 points to lead the Jackets to victory.
Brokaw took control of the game in the second quarter as she hit five deuces
In the third, Brokaw hit three more from the floor. She scored 21 points that game and 15 points in her second game (18 points per game average). She's also averaging 11 rebounds in the first two games.
Mount Vernon coach Nathan Short said, "McKenna is a great kid who is easy to root for. She's a versatile player who can play on the perimeter and on the inside for us. She runs the floor very well and makes things happen offensively and defensively for our team. McKenna's performance in these first two games of the season definitely warrants the accolades of Player of the Week."
Brokaw was named Second Team All-Ohio Cardinal Conference last season after earning First Team honors as a sophomore. Brokaw just finished her senior year on the soccer team, where she earned First Team All-Central District honors.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Nate Stradley Mount Vernon’s Wrestling team leader and 285-pound combatant was a 4-year starter on the offensive line in football and takes the Jackets’ wrestling lead at 285 pounds for the fourth year in a row. The offensive line and 285-pound weight class is usually dominated by upper classmen, but Stradley has been “the man” since his frosh year, competing at a high level on the football field and wrestling mat. Mount Vernon wrestling coach Nate Cornell said, “Nate (Stradley) is a leader in the wrestling room and weight room for us and looks to have a big senior year on the mat after being a state alternate and district place winner last season." In the Central district all-star meet at 285 pounds, he tied Damon Hay of Jonathan Alder, 3-3.
In Mount Gilead’s Nov. 30 victory over Loudonville, 63-41, Elijah Chafin made the most of his playing time. In 27 minutes on the court, Chafin scored 22 points, pulled down six rebounds, handed out two assists, made two deflections, had two steals, blocked one shot and was a plus-22 on the court. Chafin started things off for the Indians with a nine-point opening quarter on three deuces and a three. He hit another three in the second among his seven points for Mount Gilead. In the fourth, Chafin wrapped things up with a pair of field goals and two free throws to take home a 22-point victory
Mount Gilead coach Dan Strasser said, “Elijah is a great young man who loves the game of basketball. After a solid freshman year, Elijah is working to improve his game as a sophomore. The pace at which he plays is impressive for a sophomore. Elijah has tremendous upside, and the sky is the limit for this young man.”
Mckinnon Mead, senior leader of the Centerburg basketball team, had an award-worthy performance against Mount Vernon last week. His display was for the pride of Knox County, but pizza was involved as well. Centerburg boys basketball assistant coach Ed Lambert offered pizza for any player who collected eight rebounds in the game against county rival Mount Vernon. Mick Mead pulled down nine in the second half alone, and his 14 points led to a Trojans victory over the Yellow Jackets, 63-53. He was inspired not by pizza, but by his teammates. “They (the seniors) have been not just my teammates, but my best friends, for my whole life,” Mead said. “When we get the ball moving, it’s pretty basketball. We really wanted to win this."
Mead took control in the second half with 10 points and his nine boards. In the first minutes of the third quarter, the senior blocked a shot, took the ball to the other end and completed a three-point play that gave Centerburg a one-point lead. He continued the half by making two more buckets and going 4 for 5 from the free-throw line.
“We have guys who share the basketball,” Centerburg coach John Marhefka said. “Mick is always working on his leadership. He’s done a great job in recent months. We have to bring some guys out and change their roles, and Mick has been great in helping with that.
"Mckinnon has the ability to impact the game in many ways," Marhefka said. "We will need this type of performance throughout the year. If he is consistent, it will be a special year for the Trojans."
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Congratulations to McKenna Brokaw and Elijah Chafin, on being named this week’s MOUNT VERNON NEWS ATHLETE of the WEEK. And kudos to all of the nominees … you all deserve top honors and recognition for your leadership, skills and student-athlete performance
