ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Dusty Stephens

School: Marquand

Class: Junior

Sport: Basketball

Position: Power forward

Coach: Rob Harlow

Week report: Dominating would be a good way to describe the 6-foot-3 Stephens' two games last week. In an 85-58 victory over Chaffee on Monday, Stephens scored 32 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. Thursday he was just as impressive, totaling 31 points and 18 rebounds in a 77-59 win over Lesterville. Both victories came at home as the Tigers closed in on the Mississippi Valley Conference title with a 5-0 league mark and 15-7 overall record.

On the season: Stephens is well on his way to his third season of all-district and all-conference honors, averaging a team-leading 22.5 points and 15.3 rebounds a game. He's shooting 66 percent from the field and averages 2.5 blocks on the defensive end.

Coach's comments: "Dusty's an extremely hard worker. He brings a nice inside presence to the team. He basically just dominates the boards. He's an amazing rebounder, good jumper and a strong kid. He's also a good student and good influence on everybody."

Lindi Prindle,

School: Oran

Class: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Position: Shooting guard

Coach: Adrian Eftink

Week report: With just a 2-14 record, the Lady Eagles haven't had a whole lot to cheer about this season. Prindle's career-high 36 points in a 73-63 victory over winless East Prairie was worth a standing ovation. Prindle made 14 of 19 free throws and 11 field goals, adding nine assists and six rebounds in the winning effort. In a 64-54 loss to Woodland earlier in the week, Prindle totaled 18 points and five assists.

On the season: Prindle at just 5-feet tall, averages 13.8 points a game. She's returning for he third year as an Oran starter after sitting out last season. Prindle leads the Lady Eagles in steals (2.7) and assists (3.8) a game. She's also shooting 67 percent from the free-throw line.

Coach's comments: "With our young team, Lindi has been able to keep us together and show leadership. When she's on the floor she plays hard defense and puts a lot of pressure on the opposing team. She has a good presence on the floor. She's a good, hard-working athlete that gives her all every night."