Winner of The News Tribune’s Boys Athlete of the Week (Feb. 24 to March 1)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Athletes of the Week for contests played between Feb. 24 and March 1. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner is:
Michael Masini, Gig Harbor basketball
Tides’ forward posted 35-point, 12-rebound double-double in state playoff win over North Central, setting Gig Harbor’s school record with 153 made free throws in a season. In Friday’s state loss to Monroe, Masini set the school record with 614 points in a single season.
The polls are located below. You can read about all of the candidates and their accomplishments below.
Note: If you are not seeing the poll at the bottom of the story, try opening the story in a different browser, such as Chrome or Safari. Votes emailed will not be counted.
Want to nominate a South Sound high school athlete in the future? Email reporter Jon Manley (jon.manley@thenewstribune.com) or Tyler Wicke (twicke@thenewstribune.com) or send a direct message on Twitter/X (@manley_tnt or @WickeTyler) with the athlete’s first and last name, school, year, position and a stat line from game(s) during the past week. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Sunday.
Javon Barbee, Franklin Pierce basketball — Senior guard dropped 29 points (13-22 FG) with 15 rebounds and six assists in Friday’s 2A regional win over Bainbridge, 47-41, becoming Franklin Pierce’s all-time leading scorer (1,713 points).
Ben Heisel, Bellarmine basketball — Scored 13 points, had a block, a steal and an assist in win over No. 1 Rainier Beach.
Daniel Johnson, Auburn basketball — Junior guard dropped game-high 17 points in 4A regional loss to No. 7 Mount Si, 56-50.
Drew Jones, Puyallup basketball — Senior guard paced Vikings with 17 points in narrow 4A regional loss at No. 1 Gonzaga Prep, 56-54.
Martin Kaupanger, Annie Wright basketball — Indiana State commit dropped 22 points in 1A state regional win over The Bear Creek School at UPS on Saturday.
Reggie Lester, Annie Wright basketball — Senior shooting guard dropped 16 points in 1A regional win over No. 8 Bear Creek.
Michael Masini, Gig Harbor basketball — Tides forward posted 35-point, 12-rebound double-double in state playoff win over North Central, setting Gig Harbor’s school record with 153 made free throws in a season. In Friday’s state loss to Monroe, Masini set the school record with 614 points in a single season.
Will Nasinec, Puyallup basketball — Junior forward had 16 points in 4A regional loss at No. 1 Gonzaga Prep, 56-54.
Kade Price, Bellarmine Prep basketball — Sophomore guard dropped team-high 13 points to power No. 8 Lions over No. 1 Rainier Beach in 3A regionals, 59-57.
Brian Stevenson, Olympia basketball — Scored 14 points in 4A state regional win over North Creek on Saturday.
Brandon Tagle, Kentwood basketball — Conquerors point guard scored team-high 19 points in 4A regional loss to Arlington on Saturday.
Julian Zapata, Olympia basketball — Senior guard scored 15 of his team-high 17 points in the second half, lifting the Bears over North Creek for a trip to the Tacoma Dome’s Hardwood Classic.
This story was originally published March 3, 2025 at 10:42 AM.
