Winner of The News Tribune’s Athlete of the Week (Dec. 1 to 6)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Athlete of the Week for contests played between Dec. 1-6. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner is:
Mia Nielsen, Capital girls basketball
The senior guard erupted for a career-high 49 points with five rebounds and two steals in Wednesday’s 55-51 win over Steilacoom.
The poll is located below. You can read about 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.
DeShawn Cavalier, North Thurston boys basketball — Freshman guard posted 18 points, seven assists, five steals and three rebounds in Tuesday’s 87-54 win over North Mason.
Felix Diaz, Mount Tahoma football — T-Birds RB/LB had five carries for 71 yards and a touchdown, four receptions for 38 yards and five tackles with an interception on defense in Mount Tahoma’s 21-14 loss to O’Dea in the 3A state championship game on Friday.
Juliana Gocha, Lakes girls basketball — Freshman guard posted a 22-point, 11-rebound double-double with five steals in Friday’s 78-35 win over Central Kitsap.
Jayden Hinchcliffe, Tumwater football — T-Birds LB tackled a team-high seven with one tackle for loss in Tumwater’s 35-20 loss to Archbishop Murphy in the 2A state championship game on Saturday.
Teaven Jones, Mount Tahoma football — T-Birds DE/LB logged a team-high nine tackles (1 TFL) in Mount Tahoma’s 21-14 loss to O’Dea in the 3A state championship game on Friday.
Hudson Lindsay, Concordia Christian boys basketball — Senior guard dropped 27 points with 16 rebounds and seven assists in Tuesday’s 65-36 win over Grace Academy, then had a 24-point, 13-rebound double-double in Thursday’s 47-39 loss to Auburn Adventist.
Markell Lowery, Auburn Mountainview basketball — Sophomore guard posted an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double with five steals and five assists in Thursday’s 98-40 win over Decatur.
Rylee Markantonatos, Muckleshoot Tribal boys basketball — Junior guard dropped 27 points (12-19 FG) with seven rebounds, four steals, three assists and a block in Thursday’s 97-28 win over Chief Leschi.
Michael Masini, Gig Harbor boys basketball — Senior forward posted a 35-point, 15-rebound double-double with three assists in Friday’s 72-51 win over North Thurston.
Lance McGee, Sumner football — Spartans RB erupted for a championship-game record six rushing touchdowns, taking 46 carries for 368 yards that lifted Sumner to back-to-back 4A titles over Lake Stevens, 41-35, on Saturday night.
Kaliyah Miller, Gig Harbor girls basketball — Senior guard posted 24 points, eight rebounds and six steals in Wednesday’s 57-45 win over Bellarmine Prep, adding 21 points and five assists in Monday’s 69-66 loss to North Thurston.
Mia Nielsen, Capital girls basketball — Senior guard erupted for a career-high 49 points with five rebounds and two steals in Wednesday’s 55-51 win over Steilacoom.
Kari Paulino-Hayes, Lakes girls basketball — Freshman guard dropped 23 points with nine rebounds, four assists and three steals in Friday’s 78-35 win over Central Kitsap.
Isaiah Phok-Abay, Stadium boys basketball — Senior guard had 21 points, eight rebounds and five steals in Wednesday’s 58-49 win over Decatur, adding 17 points and three assists in Friday’s 72-62 loss to Kennedy Catholic.
Kolven Posey, Auburn Mountainview boys basketball — Senior guard tallied 24 points with seven steals, six assists and three rebounds in Thursday’s 98-40 win over Decatur.
Fa’aluaina Salanoa, Clover Park girls basketball — Senior guard posted a 17-point, 13-rebound double-double with six assists and six steals in Friday’s 52-35 win over Federal Way.
Annique Smith, Silas girls basketball — Senior forward posted a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double in Thursday’s 54-21 win over Timberline.
Zion Stone, Kennedy Catholic boys basketball — Junior guard dropped 24 points with seven assists and six rebounds in Friday’s 72-62 win over Stadium, adding 19 points in Monday’s 84-58 win over Chief Sealth.
Tyler Venable, Black Hills girls basketball — Junior guard dropped 26 points with five rebounds in Wednesday’s 76-34 win over Castle Rock, then had 19 points and eight steals in Friday’s 52-37 win over Hoquiam.
This story was originally published December 9, 2025 at 11:35 AM.
