The winter sports season concludes this weekend as basketball teams compete in state tournaments, and local athletes had crucial performances to help their teams win or stay in games. Here are this week’s selections for Journal-World Athletes of the Week:

Avah Dye, Eudora

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Eudora sophomore Avah Dye makes an off-balance shot against Bishop Miege during the KSHSAA state quarterfinals at Kansas City Kansas Community College on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Kansas City.

Dye was aggressive driving to the rim in Eudora’s quarterfinal match against Bishop Miege on Tuesday, as she led the Cardinals in scoring with 18 points. Dye was the engine behind a third-quarter push that nearly put the Cardinals in the lead.

Jackson Wheeler, Baldwin

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Baldwin sophomore Jackson Wheeler defends a ball handler in Baldwin’s substate championship win over Paola on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Baldwin.

Baldwin sophomore forward Wheeler saved Baldwin’s season on Wednesday with a block against Pratt as the Bulldogs led 48-49 with five seconds left. The Bulldogs went on to win 50-48 and moved on to the 4A state semifinal round.