Winner of The News Tribune’s Athlete of the Week (Dec. 8 to 13)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Athlete of the Week for contests played between Dec. 8-13. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner is:
Natalie Buchanan, Black Hills girls basketball
The junior guard posted a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double with eight steals in Tuesday’s 59-49 win over Elma, adding 24 points and four rebounds in Wednesday’s 64-43 loss to Toutle Lake.
The poll is located below. You can read about all of the candidates and their accomplishments below.
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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.
Natalie Buchanan, Black Hills girls basketball — Junior guard posted a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double with eight steals in Tuesday’s 59-49 win over Elma, adding 24 points and four rebounds in Wednesday’s 64-43 loss to Toutle Lake.
Doni Burkett, Todd Beamer boys basketball — Senior guard dropped 35 points with six assists, three steals, and two rebounds in Monday’s 88-70 win over Federal Way.
Ricardo Cango, Thomas Jefferson boys basketball — Junior wing posted consecutive double-doubles in Monday’s win over Decatur (12 PTS, 13 REB, 4 STL) and Wednesday’s loss to North Mason (17 PTS, 12 REB, 6 STL).
Trey Collier, Silas boys basketball — Junior guard had 20 points and nine steals in Tuesday’s 82-59 win over Peninsula, adding 24 points, five assists, and five rebounds in Thursday’s 69-68 loss to River Ridge.
Hakeen Collins, Franklin Pierce boys basketball — Senior wing posted a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double with five blocks and three assists in Tuesday’s 63-39 win over Fife, adding 16 points and five rebounds in Friday’s 60-53 win over Clover Park.
Olivia Collins, Sumner girls basketball — Senior guard dropped 20 points with eight rebounds and three steals (no turnovers) in Tuesday’s 63-8 win over South Kitsap.
Juliana Gocha, Lakes girls basketball — Freshman guard posted an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double with eight steals and two assists in Tuesday’s 55-53 win over Lincoln, adding 14 points and seven rebounds in Thursday’s 64-38 loss to Gig Harbor.
Dominique Harper, River Ridge boys basketball — Senior forward posted a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double with six blocks and three steals in Thursday’s 69-68 win over Silas, adding 11 points in Saturday’s 71-42 win over Timberline.
Daniel Johnson, Auburn boys basketball — Senior guard dropped 30 points in Friday’s 77-73 win at Kennedy Catholic.
Jake Moen, Tahoma boys basketball — Junior guard posted an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double in Friday’s 79-69 win over Mount Rainier.
Giovanni Moimoi, Kentridge boys basketball — Senior forward tallied 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in Tuesday’s 75-71 win over Kennedy Catholic.
MakHai Pleasant-Tolliver, Silas boys basketball — Senior guard had 21 points, five rebounds, and two steals in Tuesday’s 82-59 win over Peninsula, adding 17 points and three steals in Thursday’s 69-68 loss to River Ridge.
Kolven Posey, Auburn Mountainview boys basketball — Senior guard had 35 points (13-19 FG) with five steals and three assists in Monday’s 86-74 win over White River, adding 16 points in Thursday’s 106-40 win over Kent-Meridian.
Marshall Scott, Clover Park boys basketball — Senior guard posted a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double with four steals and three assists (no turnovers) in Tuesday’s 80-59 win over Steilacoom.
Taniyah Tatum, Spanaway Lake girls basketball — Freshman guard posted a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double in Thursday’s 53-44 win over Bonney Lake, adding 20 points in Monday’s 86-10 win over Yelm.
Tyler Venable, Black Hills girls basketball — Junior guard dropped 20 points with eight rebounds and three steals in Tuesday’s 59-49 win over Elma, adding 12 points, seven rebounds, and four steals in Wednesday’s 64-43 loss to Toutle Lake.
This story was originally published December 15, 2025 at 11:04 AM.
