ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Tim Lowery

School: Scott City

Class: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Position: Point Guard

Coach: Derek McCord

Week report: Lowery had a typically solid game Tuesday in Scott City's only action of the week. The 5-10 Lowery scored 16 points, making all seven of his free throws in the fourth quarter, as the state-ranked Rams held off Portageville at home 70-62. The Rams ended the week ranked sixth in Class 2A with a 24-2 mark.

On the season: Entering his third season as the Rams' starting point guard, Lowery has had another solid season. His eight assists per game average leads the team, but Lowery's also an offensive threat. Averaging 15 points a game, Lowery is Scott City's second-leading scorer. He's made 57 3-pointers, hitting on 38 percent of his shots from behind the arc. He's also shooting 84 percent from the free-throw line (76 of 90). Defensively he's collected 56 steals.

Coach's comments: "Tim is a tremendous floor leader and a great shooter. He does a lot for us moving the ball around. Having Tim out there is like having a coach out on the floor. He provides tremendous leadership. Every day Timmy shows up to practice -- and practice hard. That's what I like abut him. He shows up every day and goes full speed. He's fun to watch."

Olivia Beel

School: Notre Dame

Class: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Position: Center

Coach: Jerry Grim

Week report: Beel scored a career-high 21 points and gathered 10 steals Thursday in an 81-19 rout of Chaffee in the final varsity basketball game at the old Notre Dame Gymnasium. In the Lady Bulldogs' opening district contest Saturday, Beel added 13 points in a 95-10 basting of winless East Prairie. Notre Dame ended the week 19-7 and ranked 10th in Class 2A.

On the season: In her first season as a full-time starter for Notre Dame, Beel has responded with averages of 7.4 points and a team-leading five rebounds a game. She's also has one of Notre Dame's most accurate shooting eyes, hitting 50 percent of her shots from the field. At 5-feet-11 inches tall, Beel is the tallest player on the Lady Bulldogs' roster.

Coach's comments: "Olivia has been a solid inside player for us. She does a good job of helping on the inside defensively. She sees the ball pretty well and that's important for a big player. She's definitely one of our top post players. She's started at the five spot (center) the whole season and I've never really thought of taking her out of there. She's just a hard worker."