Thorne, McGehee named Athletes of the Week

Graham High School has been back in session for a week and a half now and with that is the full time return of athletics. 

This week, the Graham Leader is recognizing Jot Thorne of the Steers and Katy McGehee of the Lady Blues as this week's athletes of the week. 

Katy McGehee, Lady Blues Volleyball

It’s been an all around solid start for the Lady Blues varsity volleyball team this season. The team has kicked off with an 8-1 record with a bevy of strong performances. 

The team picked up a five set win against Burkburnett on the road in their season opener and then traveled to Llano for their first tournament. The team went a perfect 7-0 in the tournament and came home as champions. 
One of the pivotal factors of that has been McGehee. 

The junior was one of two Graham players named to the all-tournament team after the Llano tournament alongside Kya Cooper. 

McGehee was all over the stat sheet at the Llano tournament picking up the third most kills with 22, as well as the third most digs on the weekend with 47. 

McGehee also made an impact in the team's home opener against the Jim Ned Lady Indians. 

Despite the fact that the team lost in three sets, McGehee picked up six kills and eight digs. 

Head coach Marci Faulk praised McGehee for her speed and quick swing. 

“She goes up and swings,” Faulk said. “You can tell she’s not the tallest hitter, but she doesn’t back down, and you gotta love that tenacity. She’s so fast in that arm swing she beats the big block a lot of the time.” 

Faulk also praised McGehee for handling a position change early in the season. McGehee was moved up the to front row in the third set of the Lady Blues match against Burkburnett and Faulk said she’s “handled it like a champ.” 

 

Jot Thorne, Steers Football

Despite only being a sophomore, Steers defensive back Jot Thorne made an early impact and a name for himself in the Steers’ first scrimmage of the season against Grandview. 

Steers head coach Clay McChristian praised Thorne for his attitude and energy towards the team.

“He is an "all in kind of kid,"  McChristian said. “He's been that way since junior high. He has a great attitude and gives great effort everyday.”

Thorne’s effort paid off in the teams matchup against Grandview.  

The sophomore picked off two passes to help the defense win possessions early and late in the matchup. 

The first came early in the contest where Thorne jumped a route from his receiver and ran back what would have been a pick six in a regular game down the left sideline. 

The second interception Thorne really had to work for. Running down the middle of the field with his opposing receiver, the sophomore went up for a jump ball on a deep route and came down with it. 

Thorne had to put up a fight though as the Grandview receiver also had his hands on the ball so the young player had to wrestle it away while they were fighting on the ground.