by Karly Monson

After two outstanding performances against the Carroll Kuemper Knights and St. Albert Falcons, junior Ryan Hawkins was nominated by prephoopsiowa.com for a chance to win the first ever “Player of the Week” poll.  Opponents facing Hawkins in the poll were Makonn Anderson from Shenandoah, Luke McDonnell from Dubuque, Nic Young from Ottumwa, and Michael Jacobson from Waukee.

Hawkins blew away all opponents, receiving 1,956 votes out of a total of 3,051.  According to Hawkins, it was a “cool feeling to be on the list,” and “winning it was overwhelming.”

Hawkins was nominated for this poll because of the two games played over Christmas break.  In the game on Friday, Jan. 2 against the Knights, Hawkins scored 29 points, recovered 12 rebounds, snuck in two steals, and had three blocks, resulting in a 69-59 win.  The next afternoon, Saturday the 3, Hawkins scored 14 points, recovered another 12 rebounds, and had four steals which helped to the two point win, 60-58.

Support from AHS was a big help in having Hawkins achieve this win.  When Anderson from Shenandoah was barely beating Hawkins in numbers, students and faculty started posting the voting link on Twitter and Facebook so others could cast in their vote to help Hawkins pull ahead.  Hawkins said, “I have never been apart of something like this, but when AHS got behind me, I had a good chance.”

To read the article prephoopsiowa.com has about Hawkins winning, click this link.  Congratulations to Hawkins!