Free State High

Joel Angelone

Class: Junior

Sport: Soccer

The week: Angelone’s one of those gifted players that can explode for a goal at any moment. Or more than one. Try eight in three games last week. He scored all three of Free State’s goals in a 3-1 win against Shawnee Heights, four in an 11-1 shellacking of Wyandotte, and the lone Firebirds’ goal in a 3-1 loss to Olathe East. It’s the kind of performance FSHS coach Jason Pendleton expects out of his forward every week.

Comment: “When the kid has that much talent, you hope he can do that every game,” Pendleton said. “He’s definitely a player that is a proven goalscorer against legitimate teams, and hopefully he’ll be a threat for the rest of the season.”

Lawrence High

Jamie Shmalberg

Class: Freshman

Sport: Golf

The week: Shmalberg’s 88 on Monday at the Sunflower League tournament was a huge part of the Lions’ surprising third-place finish. Nevermind that the freshman hadn’t broken 95 all season; she simply thrived in the tough conditions on a tough course. Her 48 earlier this season was her best round for nine holes.

Comment: “It was a surprise for her and myself,” LHS coach Mike Lewis said. “I listed her as my No. 6 golfer to take a little pressure off her, and it worked.

Noah Rees

Perry-Lecompton

Class: Senior

Sport: Football

The week: Rees had a career night in one game last Friday, rushing for 342 yards on 29 carries and five touchdowns in the Kaws’ 44-32 victory against DeSoto. The performance boosted him past 1,000 yards this season after just five games, a result of the work he put in during the offseason. The running back worked with a personal trainer, and it showed. He’s averaging 201 yards per game, and nearly eight yards a carry.

Comment: “That’s a pretty amazing night,” PLHS coach Mike Paramore said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a game like that. He’s got good explosiveness. He’s not overly fast, but he’s good explosion to the hole. He makes somebody miss and he’s gone.”

Laura Korb

Tonganoxie

Class: Senior

Sport: Cross country

The week: Korb, a state qualifier second at the Kaw Valley Meet last year, is probably on her way back to state this year. She won the Gardner-Edgerton Invitational last Thursday, covering the two miles course in 13:26 as the Chieftains won the girls’ and boys’ team titles. Her time was 20 seconds better than the runnerup.

Comment: “She’s been running a lot better this year. Last year, she had problems with shinsplints and things like that,” Tongie coach Phil Williams said. “When it comes time to do something, she wants to do her best.”