Sports
Boys Basketball: “Hero of the Week” Nick Stanley, Athens
< < Back toWhen thinking of someone heroic on the hardwood last week (Jan. 23-30), many members of the Athens bulldogs squad comes to mind. In both of their victories last week, it was a total team effort. However, one player in particular really stepped up his game and his presence as a senior leader.
Athens senior guard Nick Stanley was crowned the coveted Hardwood Heroes Hero of the Week. His journey started Tuesday January 24 as the Bulldogs battled the Spartans of Alexander. Stanley dropped 13 points in that contest and had two crucial steals. He also led the charge against Vinton County on Friday January 27.
All together senior Nick Stanley finished with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 steals this past week. Although his stats were impressive, that was not the only reason why he was crowned hero of the week.
It is what Stanley did without the ball that made him stick out. He stepped up his defensive presence in a big way, gathering six steals. Nick Stanley showed a lot of heart out on the court. He played extremely hard and it showed. Those at the Alexander game and Vinton County game could see it in Stanley’s face and style of play that he just wanted to win. Which is what is expected from a senior nearing the end of his accomplished career.
Coach Skinner is extremely proud of his senior guard saying, “Nick Stanley is as good of a defender as I have ever coached. He does this with a torn labrum in his hip, an injury that will require serious surgery. In the last few games he has also scored double figures. His presence and leadership are essential for us.”
Nick Stanley plays with hunger, passion, and a desire to win, which is why he was last week’s Hero of the Week. Stanley and the rest of the Bulldog team will be very fun to watch these next few weeks as they inch closer to the top spot in the TVC-Ohio. Good luck to the Athens squad and congratulations to Nick Stanley for winning "Hero of the Week!"