Vote: Who should be SBLive Ohio's high school Athlete of the Week (11/28/2023)?

Here are the candidates for SBLive’s Ohio high school Athlete of the Week for November 19-25. Read through the nominees and cast your vote. Voting will conclude Sunday at 11:59 p.m. If you would like to make a nomination in a future week, email athleteoftheweek@scorebooklive.com.

Editor’s Note: Our Athlete of the Week feature and corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. However, we do not allow votes that are generated by script, macro or other automated means. Athletes that receive votes generated by script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified.

Dee Alexander, Purcell Marian girls basketball

The reigning Ohio Ms. Basketball opened the season at the Queen City Tip Off by scoring 22 points, grabbing six rebounds and handing out three assists in a win over Magnificat.

Will Bates, Kirtland football

The senior defensive end had three of the Hornets' eight sacks in a 17-0 win over Garaway. Kirtland gave up just 55 yards to secure their 12th state final appearance in the last 13 years.

Gavin Connor, Archbishop Alter football

Connor scored on a quarterback sneak to give the Knights an early lead and threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to make the score 21-0 in the first quarter. Alter blanked Steubenville 48-0 in a Division IV state semifinal.

Mackenna Ducat, North Baltimore girls basketball

In a 37-35 loss to Otsego, the senior scored 13 points and grabbed 17 rebounds.

Braylon Gabes, Bishop Watterson football

Helped the Eagles punch a ticket to the Division III state championship with 116 yards and two touchdowns in the first half of action. Gabes suffered an injury in the third quarter as Watterson went on to defeat Celina 27-14.

Joel Gehret, Versailles football

Gehret finished with 126 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries as Versailles beat Columbus Grove 30-13 in the Division VI state semifinals.

Ethan Heitkamp, Marion Local football

Heitkamp scored touchdowns on runs of nine and 27 yards and finished with 75 yards on nine carries as the Flyers shut out Patrick Henry 42-0.

Caitlyn Holmes, Ellet girls basketball

Despite a loss to Wadsworth on the season’s opening night, the junior guard led all scorers with 35 points.

D’Shawntae Jones, Glenville football

The senior running back rushed for 256 yards and four touchdowns as the Tarblooders beat Canton South 42-21. Glenville will return to the state championship for the fourth time in program history.

Trenton Kruse, Liberty Center football

Led the Tigers’ offense with 184 yards and a touchdown to help knock off Valley View 14-10.

Alyssa Massucci, Howland girls basketball

Scored a game-high 26 points in a 71-60 win over Salem in Wednesday’s season opener.

Jayvin "Bay Bay" Norman, Springfield football

Norman had three touchdowns, including a 32-yard reception in the second quarter to put Springfield on the scoreboard. The Wildcats defeated Archbishop Moeller 26-19 to advance to their third consecutive state championship game.

Colin Pearson, Dalton football

In Dalton’s 55-7 win over Caldwell, Pearson finished 9-of-10 for 190 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another score on the ground.

Brayden Richards, Perry football

Richards helped send Perry to its first state championship game behind two scores, including a 58-yard touchdown reception. The Pirates defeated Harvest Prep 22-8.

Jon Slaper, St. Edward football

In the Eagles’ 26-3 win over Hilliard Bradley, St. Edward’s defense held the Jaguars to 102 offensive yards. Slaper led the effort with six tackles, 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss.

Jaylen Watson, Toledo Central Catholic football

In a 35-7 victory against Chardon, The University of Iowa commit scored two touchdowns — one on an 18-yard reception and another on a 12-yard run.

Brandon White, St. Edward football

The sophomore tailback rushed for 240 yards and three touchdowns on 40 carries en route to a 26-3 victory over Hilliard Bradley.

Xavier Williams, Archbishop Hoban football

Scored on a 39-yard run to help Hoban build a comeback late in the third quarter. Williams rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown on eight carries in the Knights’ 17-14 win over Avon.

Lyla Wilson, Wadsworth girls basketball

In a 62-59 win over Ellet on Wednesday, Wilson led the Grizzlies with 29 points and 12 rebounds.

Mike Wright, Jr., Massillon football

Made an impact on both sides of the ball rushing for two touchdowns and racking up two sacks, seven tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss to help lead Massillon to a 55-7 win over Anderson.