Winner of The News Tribune’s Athlete of the Week (Nov. 24 to 29)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Athlete of the Week for contests played between Nov. 24-29. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner is:
Tyler Venable, Black Hills girls basketball
The Wolves’ junior guard scored 34 points in win over Yelm and 39 points in win over R.A. Long, shooting 53 percent from the field in the two wins.
The poll is 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.
Kase Betz, Graham-Kapowsin football — Eagles WR had 10 catches for 97 yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s 4A semifinal loss at Lake Stevens.
Wyatt Chase, Tumwater football — Senior receiver had a pair of receiving touchdowns in 42-0 win over East Valley of Yakima in the 2A state tournament semifinals.
Trey Collier, Silas boys basketball — Scored 28 points and shot 55 percent from the field in 80-78 win over 4A Curtis on Tuesday.
Felix Diaz, Mount Tahoma football — T-Birds RB/LB took 12 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown, adding seven tackles (2 TFL) and a fumble recovery on defense in Saturday’s 3A semifinal win over Eastside Catholic, lifting Mount Tahoma into the state championship game for the first time since 1980.
Jayce Halasz, Graham-Kapowsin football — Eagles WR had six catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns, adding a four-yard carry in Saturday’s 4A semifinal loss at Lake Stevens.
Shan Jones, Mount Tahoma football — T-Birds LB grabbed two interceptions and tackled five in Saturday’s 3A semifinal win over Eastside Catholic, lifting Mount Tahoma into the state championship game for the first time since 1980.
Teaven Jones, Mount Tahoma football — T-Birds DE tallied three sacks and six tackles in Saturday’s 3A semifinal win over Eastside Catholic, lifting Mount Tahoma into the state championship game for the first time since 1980.
Lawson Looker, Puyallup football — Racked up 133 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 42-35 loss to Sumner in 4A state semifinal game.
Lance McGee, Sumner football — Spartans RB took 38 carries for 313 yards and five touchdowns in Saturday’s 4A semifinal win over No. 1 Puyallup, powering the defending-champion Spartans back into the title game.
Judah Noonan, Stadium basketball — Scored 20 points, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, in 57-47 win over Yelm on Saturday.
Braylon Pope, Sumner football — Spartans WR had 10 catches for 139 yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s 4A semifinal win over No. 1 Puyallup, powering the defending-champion Spartans back into the title game.
AJ Tuivaiave, Graham-Kapowsin football — Eagles QB completed 25-of-39 passes for 341 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, adding three carries for 10 yards and a touchdown on the ground in Saturday’s 4A semifinal loss at Lake Stevens.
Tyler Venable, Black Hills girls basketball — Junior guard scored 34 points in win over Yelm and 39 points in win over R.A. Long, shooting 53 percent from the field in the two wins.
This story was originally published December 1, 2025 at 11:31 AM.
