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(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Easton Hedge has been a major player for the Graham Steers team and as the team moves into district will be crucial. Hedge has accounted for 13 of the 37 goals made by the team so far this season and assisted with another 11 shots made by the team. -
(LIAM BAILEY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Ava Street is a sophomore and this is the second year she has been on a Lady Blues team. Though this is the first year for her on the varsity team, Street has shown improvement on the court and joins the rest of the team which has seen a boost in confidence from the start of the season.
With the playoff season approaching for basketball, district soccer starting next week and softball and baseball on the horizon, it is a busy time of the year for sports.
Basketball and soccer seasons in Graham have been well underway and the teams have recently had standouts that made an impact on the field and court.
Easton Hedge of the Graham Steers and Ava Street of the Graham Lady Blues have been named Athletes of the Week for their recent athletic performances.
Easton Hedge, Steers soccer
The Steers soccer team had a draw game Monday, Jan. 27 against Wichita Falls Legacy High School, and part of that was due to Hedge who scored a goal during the game.
Hedge has not only been an asset recently for the Steers, but head coach Tim Wankowicz said the four-year varsity player is essential to the team as a fierce competitor who sets the tone and pushes others to their full potential.
“He communicates well with the guys on and off the field,” he said. “He mostly leads by example, but will let the guys know if they aren't doing what they are supposed to be doing but does well with positive feedback as well.”
Serving as an attacking center midfielder and occasionally a striker, Hedge guides the team through the middle of the field and orchestrates attacks through the middle third. Wankowicz said the team has scored 37 goals this season, with Hedge scoring 13 and assisting in 11.
“Easton is a key component to our success. He spearheads our attacks and works well by directing others into our attacks on the other team. He is the gel that keeps us together,” the head coach said. “He will be a great loss for us after this season. He's planning on playing after high school and already has an offer to play with Hardin Simmons University.”
Ava Street, Lady Blues basketball
Whether on the soccer field or on the basketball court, Ava Street has worked hard to make an impact and most recently helped the Lady Blues to push back in the later half of the district basketball season.
Head basketball coach Baylee Thompson said Street has stepped up her game recently and done a great job on defense for the team.
“She's doing a great job of guarding the ball. So we've moved her to the top of our 131, whenever we jumped into that,” she said. “...She gets in people's business without fouling and so we loved having her there. And then offensively, she's starting to attack the rim more. ...You see the confidence come in the more she does it each game. That's been exciting to see her do.”
Street is a sophomore and this is her second year in the basketball program and her first on the varsity team. On top of improving her game, Street has room to grow as she moves forward in her high school career. But, Street already shows talent on the court.
“She does a great job (communicating with her team). She's a great supporter,” Thompson said. “She definitely has to do a good job on the court as well, because she does so well defensively so that requires communication.”
