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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Graham Leader is recognizing Camren Mallory as this week’s Athlete of the Week. Mallory led the Ladycats in scoring with 20 points in Newcastle’s 42-24 tournament win over the Wellman Union Lady Cats. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Graham Leader is recognizing Thomason Burkett as this week’s Athlete of the Week. Burkett had seven points as a returning player to the Steers’ lineup in their 63-39 loss to the Henrietta Bearcats.
Basketball season is in full swing for Graham and Newcastle and this past week two athletes for those teams shined.
The Graham Leader is recognizing Camren Mallory of the Ladycats and Thomason Burkett of the Steers as this week’s Athletes of the Week.
Camren Mallory, Ladycats Basketball
The start of basketball season for the Ladycats has been an uphill battle with the team trying to find a new identity.
The Ladycats lost key seniors after graduation last year and the team has been going through an adjustment period to start the season.
The Ladycats participated in a three day tournament in Whiteface from Thursday, Dec. 4 to Saturday, Dec. 6 and the Ladycats were able to secure a victory against the Wellman Union Lady Cats by a score of 42-24 in the tournament, with Mallory leading the way to the victory.
Mallory scored 20 points to lead the team in scoring and she did it in a variety of ways. She scored on four midrange jumpshots, two three pointers from beyond the arc and made six free throws at the charity stripe on eight attempts.
Going forward into the season, the Ladycats will need leaders like Mallory to continue to step up with strong performances like these.
Thomasen Burkett, Steers Basketball
The Graham Steers took on the Henrietta Bearcats Tuesday, Dec. 9 and while the team gave it their all, they were not able to pick up the victory, losing to the Bearcats 63-39.
Head coach Quinton Fossett said that the team was currently adjusting to integrating players coming in from the football team into the roster, trying to find their chemistry with the rest of the lineup. Fossett also said after the game he has full confidence the team will mesh and be successful.
Players such as Burkett were already showing the value they can add to the team in the Steers’ loss to the Bearcats.
Burkett had seven points on the night on several midrange jumpshots and a free throw. However, Burkett was also a high energy booster taking a charging foul in the first quarter, not being afraid to put himself on the line for the benefit of the team.
