Vote for The Charlotte Observer girls’ high school athlete of the week: Nov. 24

Below are the nominees for The Charlotte Observer girls’ high school athlete of the week.

The poll closes Friday.

You may vote as often as you like.

Note: Poll results may not always be shown.

This week’s nominees

Kaylee Carson, Independence basketball: The 5-foot-8 senior scored 18 points, grabbed nine rebounds, had four assists and five steals in an 81-36 win over West Cabarrus on Nov. 17. Carson is an East Tennessee State commit.

Sadie Faulkner, A.L. Brown basketball: The 5-6 junior scored 28 points in a 63-43 win over South Rowan in her team’s season-opener Nov. 17. Faulkner averaged 9.4 points per game as a sophomore last season.

Lauren Feaster, Hickory Grove basketball: The 5-10 eighth-grader scored 18 points and had 10 rebounds in a 56-10 win over Carolina International on Nov. 14. Feaster also had 14 points and 21 rebounds in a 33-23 victory over the Greater Cabarrus Stallions on Nov. 17. She is averaging 16 points and 15.5 points per game for Hickory Grove (2-0) this season.

Alaina Griffin, Metrolina Christian basketball: The 5-3 sophomore scored a career-high 39 points to go with five assists, five rebounds and eight steals in a 63-55 win over Covenant Day in the season opener on Nov. 14. Griffin also had 19 points and 10 rebounds in a 35-22 victory over Covenant Classical on Nov. 17. She averaged nine points per game as a freshman last season.

Justice Hegwood, Central Academy basketball: The Cougars’ sophomore point guard had a triple-double — 19 points, 10 rebounds, 10 steals, four assists and one block in a 51-31 loss to South Stanly in her team’s season-opener on Nov. 17. Hegwood accounted for all but three of the Cougars’ 31 points in the game. Hegwood played in just three games as a freshman, totaling two points.

Madi Hertzig, Charlotte Catholic swimming: The Cougars’ freshman won the 100 and 200 freestyle in her first high school meet when Charlotte Catholic beat Butler and Rocky River on Nov. 16. Hertzig swam automatic regional cut times in both events.

Delanie Hill, Providence basketball: The 5-7 senior scored 24 points, had five rebounds, two steals and drew a charge in Providence’s season-opening 55-49 loss to Ardrey Kell last week. Hill is a University of Albany commit.

Sophie Levine, Providence Day basketball: The 5-7 senior scored 16 points, including four three pointers, in a 39-35 loss to United Faith on Nov. 14. Levine also had 12 points, six assists, four rebounds and four steals in Providence Day’s 50-38 victory over Trinity Christian on Nov. 16. She is Franklin & Marshall College (PA) commit.

Madison Motto, Weddington basketball: The 5-7 junior forward scored 15 points to go with five rebounds and three assists in a 60-38 season-opening win at Rocky River on Nov. 17. She averaged three points and three rebounds per game as a sophomore.

Clarke Neace, Providence Day swimming: The Chargers’ junior took five seconds off a 13-year-old school record to win the 500 freestyle in 5:01.67 in a meet with Charlotte Christian and Charlotte Latin on Nov. 16. Neace also took four seconds off the school mark to win the 100 backstroke in 58.06 at the same meet. The University of Georgia commit was also on the winning 200 freestyle relay team.

Sophia Pero, Hopewell swimming: The Titans’ sophomore won the 100 backstroke (1:01.35) and 200 freestyle (1:57.38, regional qualifying time) in the season opener against Hough on Nov. 15. Pero was also a part of the winning 200 medley relay (1:53.50, regional qualifying time) and 400 freestyle (3:48.89, regional qualifying time) teams at the same meet.

Samantha Shehan, Lake Norman basketball: The 5-11 junior exploded for 44 points, going 13-for-15 from two-point range and 6-for-9 from the three-point line, to lead Lake Norman to an 87-11 win at Pine Lake Prep in the season-opener on Nov. 17. Shehan also had five rebounds and three assists in the victory.

** Information published today includes statistics through November 18.

If you want to nominate an athlete: Athletes of the week highlights high school players with outstanding performances. The goal is to recognize all athletes in all sports, both the most accomplished and the underrated or underappreciated players. If you want to suggest someone to be included in the athletes of the week column, send email to Jay Edwards at edwardswork23@gmail.com. Please include the athletes’ name, school, class and applicable game performance statistics. Coaches must be willing to verify information.

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