Welcome to the Bay Area News Group (Mercury News & East Bay Times) girls athlete of the week poll.
For the entire academic year, we will provide a list of candidates who stood out over the previous week and allow you, the reader, to vote for the winner.
This week, we consider performances from Jan. 3-9.
Polls close at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Vote as many times as you’d like until then.
Candidates for future Athlete of the Week polls can be nominated at highschools@bayareanewsgroup.com.
We also review stats submitted to MaxPreps by coaches/team statisticians.
On to the nominees:
Jaydin Armas, Newark Memorial basketball: Junior forward led the Cougars with 15 points in 57-28 triumph over Yerba Buena. She has helped her team to a 10-4 record with a 12.1-points-per-game scoring average, second on the team.
Shamira Bidaye, Priory basketball: Junior point guard had a double-double with 20 points, 14 rebounds in a 63-45 victory over The King’s Academy. It was the West Bay Athletic League Foothill Division for the Panthers.
Sophie Chinn, Acalanes basketball: Freshman point guard poured in 30 points as the Dons rallied from 42-32 halftime deficit to beat California 83-68. Also led Acalanes with 12 points in 51-25 Diablo Athletic League Foothill Division opening win over Miramonte. The Dons are 12-2 with a lineup consisting of mostly underclassmen.
Ximena Heredia, James Lick soccer: Junior forward/defender totaled seven goals in victories over San Jose and Yerba Buena. Had five goals in the win over Yerba Buena. Comets are off to a 2-0 start in BVAL-West Valley Division.
Chisa Matsumoto, San Mateo soccer: Sophomore was named Player of the Game after scoring three goals and adding an assist in a 10-0 win over Luis Valdez Leadership Academy. The Bearcats are 5-1-1 for the season.
June McNally, Berkeley soccer: Sophomore forward scored two of the Yellowjackets’ three goals in a shutout victory over Castro Valley. Was named Player of the Game for her performance.
Katherine Meck, Prospect soccer: Senior team co-captain had two goals and two assists in 6-0 blanking of Overfelt. Had an assist in a 1-0 win against Silver Creek. Forward leads Panthers with seven goals and five assists
Katherine Thomsen, Palo Alto soccer: Senior forward had a pair of goals in a 5-1 beating of Los Gatos. Leads Vikings with four goals this season. Was first-team all-SCVAL De Anza Division as a sophomore.
Olivia Walinski, Foothill soccer: Sophomore forward/midfielder was Player of Game in Falcons’ 2-0 win over Livermore. Had a goal and steal as Foothill improved to 2-0-1. Selected to Elite Clubs National League all-conference team that spans states from Washington to Colorado.
Sophia Williams, Evergreen Valley basketball: The 5-foot-10 senior scored 22 points in a victory over Piedmont Hills. She averages a double-double with 14.6 points and 11.9 rebounds for 10-1 Cougars. Leads team in rebounding, assists and steals.
