Here are this week’s candidates for Prime Time Performer.
You can vote once every 12 hours until the polls close on Friday at 5 p.m.
Will Putnam (Glenwood Heavyweight) Glenwood head wrestling coach Jeremy Mosier had some high praise for his heavyweight after winning the Joe Bee Invitational on Saturday. Putnam has been a dominating force on the mat this season and his coach says the sky is the limit with the sophomore already learning moves that college wrestlers are putting out there. Putnam barely wrestled a total of three minutes on Saturday and won by pinfall in every match.
Jacquez Stewart (Springfield High 126) Another impressive sophomore from the wrestling mat on Saturday was Springfield High’s Jacquez Stewart. The 126 pounder found himself at the top of the Joe Bee Invitational podium at the end of the day after beating his Pontiac opponent by pin fall halfway through the third round. Stewart went to state last year at 120 and he’s determined to get back to Champaign again and come home with a better finish.
Isaiah Walton (Southeast Guard) Slim had himself quite a week. The senior guard from Southeast scored a combined 55 points in two CS8 contests to help the Spartans pick up two more wins. Walton put up 20 points in the first half against Jacksonville on his way to 22 on Tuesday, then followed that up with a hard-earned 23 points against Glenwood, which turned out to be over half his team’s points, including two free throws late to help seal it.
Aundrae Williams (Lanphier Guard) While his back court buddy Yaakema Rose has been filling up the stat sheet in Lanphier victories this season, Williams has quietly put together an impressive resume to start the season as well. On Friday night against Rochester, that was on display as the senior guard scored 19 points, grabbed four rebounds, dished out three assists and nabbed three steals. Lanphier is being led by committee this season and #BON is loving it as the Lions prepare to defend their Pekin Tourney Title.
Zach Eddington (SHG Defenseman) In case you haven’t heard..there’s a pretty big hockey game taking place this week on Wednesday at the Nelson Center. Brandon Hay and the Glenwood Titans are taking on the defending LLHH champs from SHG. A huge key to a Cyclone victory will be defenseman Zach Eddington who will have to stop Hay from finding twine. Last week, Eddington showed he can put the puck in the back of the net as well. Eddington had a hat trick and an assist against the Senators and two goals against Bloomington.
Makenzie Bray (Glenwood Forward) Most juniors can’t consistently put up eye popping numbers every week in any varsity sport, but once in a while a special athlete comes along. Glenwood has that in Mackenzie Bray who continues to torch opposing defenses. Bray got buckets to the tune of 24 points against SHG last week, including 16 of those in the first half.
Olivia Felts (Williamsville Forward) Anytime a Sangamo school beats a CS8, we tend to take notice and Olivia Felts hit the game winner to push the Bullets by Lincoln last week. The Williamsville forward had 12 points and eight rebounds against the Railsplitters and then followed that up on Thursday with 15 points against Riverton, nearly outscoring the Hawks by herself.
Benji Eaker (Auburn Guard) Perhaps nobody had a bigger coming out party last week than Auburn’s Benji Eaker. The kid put up an incredible 31 points against an Athens defense that is as long and athletic as the Trojans will see in the Sangamo this season. You better believe scouting reports on Auburn will have the name Eaker at the top of the list.
Gage Hamill (Springfield High Swimmer) Hard to believe with as cold as it was last weekend, but their was swimming taking place. Springfield High’s swim team returned home from the Bloomington Raider Invite on Saturday with a team first place finish by beating Champaign Central by nearly 100 points. The future Hoosier, Gage Hamill was a big reason why. Hamill won the 200 freestyle in 1:46.05 & the 100 butterfly in 54.10. He also anchored the 200 freestyle relay which won in time of 1:31.33 and anchored the 400 freestyle relay in 3:13.28. The Springfield area is certainly spoiled to see some incredible swimmers.
