Richwoods, Morton and Washington have nominees this week for Journal Star boys high school athlete of the week, presented by CEFCU.
After plenty of solid winter sports performers over the last week, here are the Journal Star high school boys athlete of the week nominees for Dec. 29-Jan. 3.
Head to pjstar.com/sports to vote. The poll closes at noon Friday. Information about the nominees is below.
If you have a nominee for the honor, email us at [email protected] or tag us on Twitter @pjstarsports. Last week, Cole DuBois of the East Peoria basketball team was named JS boys athlete of the week.
Amarion Smith-Holley, Richwoods basketball
The sophomore made a memorable end to 2025. Smith-Holley averaged 23.8 points over four games in being named tournament MVP as Richwoods won the Pekin Insurance Holiday Tournament. In the 61-54 title game win over Chicago Mt. Carmel on New Year's Eve, he scored a game-high 24 points in leading Richwoods to its first PIHT championship since 2009. The Knights went 6-0 last week as the Division-I recruit capped his week with player of the game honors at the New Year's Extravaganza in Chicago, beating Burbank St. Laurence, 68-48 with 24 points and six rebounds on Sunday.
@Darealmarion21 Led @Richwoodsboysb1 to a championship at the pekin holiday tournament @holidaytourney He recieved MVP and 1ST TEAM ALL TOURNAMENT @MacIrvinFire1pic.twitter.com/PadzD2zrwY
— Charles Drummond Jr (@CandidateClipss) January 4, 2026
Brody Folkes, Illini Central basketball
The senior made a memorable appearance last week at a historic gym. Folkes scored 18 points as Illini Central beat Lewistown, 47-44, on Saturday at Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, Indiana. His and-1 in the final minutes helped secure the victory for the Cougars, who have won three of their last four. In Thursday's 49-46 consolation semifinal win over Beardstown at the Williamsville Tournament, Folkes scored 21 points to earn player of the game honors.
Game 19 final
— Williamsville BeeBee & Bullet Athletics/Activities (@wcusd15sports) December 29, 2025
Illini Central 49
Beardstown - 46
Congrats to Brody Folkes- Scheels player of the Game. pic.twitter.com/FddoFwjGV1
Alex McKie, Morton basketball
The senior helped Morton to a 4-1 finish last week. McKie capped his week with a game-high 19 points on Saturday to beat visiting Normal Community, 60-49. Earlier in the week, his 17.0 points a game average earned him Pekin Insurance Holiday Tournament all-tournament team honors as the Potters took fifth. One of his biggest highlights came with a 30-point effort off eight 3-pointers in beating Chicago Simeon, 66-48 in the fifth-place semifinals last Tuesday.
Congrats to Senior Alex McKie on All-Tourney Team! https://t.co/zIsIlLZCoh
— Morton Potters BB (@mortonpottersbb) January 1, 2026
Josh Hoffer, Washington wrestling
The senior went 6-0 last week at the prestigious "The Flavin" tournament. Hoffer tallied five pins over the two-day event in DeKalb last Monday and Tuesday. The Illinois commit got falls in 1:32, 2:55 and 1:04 along with a pair of sub-minute pins in 20 and 54 seconds. His other win came with a 4-1 decision over Foley Calcagno of Elmhurst IC Catholic.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Vote in poll for Journal Star boys high school athlete of the week
Category: General Sports
