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(KYLIE BAILEY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Graham Leader recognizes Ellie Weatherman as this week’s Athlete of the Week. Weatherman kicked the game winning goal against Decatur in a shootout to put the Lady Blues firmly at the top of the district. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Graham Leader recognizes Jaden Neal as this week's Athlete of the Week. Neal provided the closing bucket for the Steers in their 58-37 victory on senior night.
It was an eventful week in Graham sports for district play. The Lady Blues took first place in district in soccer while the Steers basketball team clinched a playoff spot.
This week the Graham Leader is recognizing Ellie Weatherman of the Lady Blues and Jaden Neal of the Steers as this week's Athletes of the Week.
Ellie Weatherman, Lady Blues Soccer
The Lady Blues picked up arguably the biggest win of their season so far in district play over the Decatur Lady Eagles.
Coming into the game, both teams were tied for the top spot with a 2-0 record in district and the teams were neck and neck at the end of regulation by a score of 2-2.
The game ultimately came down to a shootout and in a do or die scenario, Weatherman provided the moment the Lady Blues needed. Weatherman fired a ball past Decatur’s goalie and pulled off a 5-4 win to remain undefeated in district.
Head coach Casey Weil spoke on Weatherman’s influence on the team after the game.
“She was the deciding factor in the shootout,” Weil said. “In the grand scheme of things what Ellie does for us defensively is key to our success. She’s a leader on the back line, she’s plays twice her size, I’m glad she’s a Lady Blue.”
Going further into district play the Lady Blues will need to be at the top of their game from here on out and this win was a statement.
Jaden Neal, Steers Basketball
Tuesday, Feb. 10 was a celebration for the Steers for a number of reasons. The team defeated their rival in the Mineral Wells Rams to clinch a spot in the postseason, but even deeper than that it was a night to pay homage to the seniors for the team.
One of those seniors was Neal, before the game even began he had the honor of being commemorated in front of the Graham community alongside his family and provided a key bucket for the Steers when needed.
Neal sank the final shot of the game on a breakaway layup in the closing seconds of the contest to ensure that Graham came out of the game victorious 58-37. Neal also provided solid defense in the front court throughout the game to limit any comeback attempts for Mineral Wells.
