The winter sports season began as Lawrence and Free State’s basketball teams saw action for the first time this season, and several local athletes performed at a high level. Here are this week’s selections for Athletes of the Week:

Morgan McClorey, Free State

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey keeps her eye on the ball as it is brought down the court by Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

McClorey is a freshman on Free State’s girls basketball team, but she didn’t play like one in the Firebirds’ season opener. She led the team with 16 points and helped lift the Firebirds to a resounding 53-28 win over Junction City.

Truth Pope, Lawrence

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore guard Truth Pope drives to the basket during the Leavenworth jamboree on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, in Leavenworth.

Pope, a sophomore, looked like a completely different player in Wednesday’s Leavenworth jamboree than he did his freshman year. Pope was decisive in attacking the rim, continued to be a pest on defense and made several hustle steals to help the Lions.