Randall, Soito named Athletes of the Week

As students returned to the classroom this week, athletes continued their momentum across Graham and Newcastle.

This week, The Graham Leader is recognizing Briley Randall of the Lady Blues and Mikey Soito of the Bobcats as this week’s Athletes of the Week. 

Briley Randall, Lady Blues Basketball

The Lady Blues played an early week matchup Tuesday, Jan. 6 against the Eula Lady Pirates and unfortunately could not come away with a victory, losing the matchup 60-25. 

Despite the loss, the team put up a good fight and there were still solid scorers in the game throughout. One of those scorers was Randall. 

Randall scored five total points in the game with her points coming in the first half. She scored four points in the first quarter on a pair of midrange jumpshots and scored one point in the second quarter on a free throw at the charity stripe. 

In order to get back on track, the Lady Blues will need continued scoring performances like Randall’s. 

After a matchup Friday, Jan. 9, the Lady Blues pick things up at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13 against Stephenville on the road.

 

Mikey Soito, Bobcats Basketball

The Bobcats had one of their finest performances Tuesday, Jan. 6 against the Gold-Burg Bears when Newcastle came out with a complete victory by a final score of 67-44. 

Each player on the team contributed positively to the win but one standout was Soito. 

The Bobcats really started to pull away in the second half of the game and Soito was a key contributor to that. Soito scored 16 total points in the game with all of those points coming in the second half. 

In the third quarter, Soito got on the scoreboard after two quiet quarters offensively with a two pointer. 

Particularly in the fourth quarter, Soito exploded for 14 points on five midrange jumpshots, a three pointer and a free throw. 

Head coach James King said that the team was starting to find its groove at the right time and they would need continued efforts like Soito’s to keep pushing forward.