Vote for Journal Star boys athlete of the week for Dec. 29-Jan. 3, presented by CEFCU

4 days ago 2

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 sports@pjstar.com 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.

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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.

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.

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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.