Ava Rodriguez of Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard High School has been recognized as the Detroit Free Press Buffalo Wild Wings Girls Prep Athlete of the Week for her outstanding performances in basketball during the week of January 11-17, 2024. Rodriguez, a senior guard, played a key role in her team’s success, leading them to crucial victories.
Standout Performances Highlighted
Throughout the week, Rodriguez showcased her talent by scoring a total of 55 points across two games. She started strong with a notable performance against Warren Regina on January 13, where she contributed 20 points and five assists, helping her team secure a narrow 57-52 victory. Following that, she continued her impressive form on January 16, scoring 35 points and making nine steals in a dominating 60-30 win against Marquette.
Rodriguez’s achievements not only earned her the weekly accolade but also placed her among a list of exceptional nominees. The voting for this honor closed at 14:00 on January 23, 2024, featuring fellow athletes who excelled during the same period.
Other Nominees for Athlete of the Week
The competition was stiff, with other nominees delivering impressive performances as well. Alexis Bruyere from Imlay City had a standout week, scoring 29 points, along with four rebounds and six steals against Croswell-Lexington. She followed up with an incredible 37 points against Almont, reinforcing her reputation as a top player.
Se’Crette Carter of Belleville, ranked No. 1 in the state, also made headlines by averaging 23.5 points over two games, while Kaylyn Sowers from Pontiac Notre Dame Prep achieved a double-double average with 22.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in her team’s games against Avondale and Walled Lake Northern.
The Detroit Free Press encourages sports fans to participate in the voting process every week. Interested individuals can visit freep.com/sports/high-schools every Tuesday morning to cast their votes for the next Athlete of the Week. Nominations for the following week are accepted until 10:00 on Mondays for the previous week’s performances. Voting remains open separately from the nomination process.
For those who wish to stay updated on high school sports news, signing up for the weekly Michigan Preps newsletter provides direct insights and updates. Eric Guzmán, a corps member for Report for America at the Free Press, covers youth sports culture and can be contacted at [email protected] or by phone at 313-222-1850. Follow him on social media for more coverage at @EricGuzman90.