By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
Buchanan football player Matt Dykema and Brandywine basketball player Katie Smallwood have been named the Niles Daily Star's Athletes of the Week for Oct. 31-Nov. 6.
Dykema wins the honor for his big play that nearly swung the momentum in the Bucks' favor in their playoff game against Constantine.
With Buchanan losing 35-7 in the third quarter of Friday's Division 6 district final, the Bucks forced Constantine to punt on its first possession. It was the first time all game Buchanan had stopped the Falcons.
On the punt, Dykema blew past the Falcon blockers and crushed Constantine's punter before he could kick the ball, resulting in a fumble. Buchanan's Travis Reith scooped up the loose ball and returned it 18 yards for a score that pulled Buchanan within 35-13.
The big play hyped up Buchanan and lifted the Bucks' spirits, but it wasn't enough to overcome the powerful Falcons in a 56-19 loss. It was, however, the biggest play for the Bucks all night.
Smallwood didn't have any game-changing shots last week, but it was her consistency that helped Brandywine to its largest margin of victory, a 50-24 win over New Buffalo on Nov. 2.
Smallwood scored nine points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Bobcats' best all around performance. She also was part of Brandywine's defense that limited New Buffalo to 18 percent shooting in the game.
Bobcat head coach Dave Roeder said Smallwood played a vital role in what he called on of Brandywine's best performances of the season.
The following game against Bridgman, Smallwood scored six of Brandywine's 38. While the point total isn't eye-popping, she was the second leading scorer for the Bobcats in a game where no Brandywine player reached double figures.
Her effort also came against a Bees team that is undefeated this season at 18-0.
Each week, the athletics directors from Niles, Brandywine and Buch-anan nominate players for the Athlete of the Week.
The sports editor of the Niles Daily Star then selects a boys' and girls' winner for each week.
Each senior winner will be eligible to apply for the scholarship at the end of the school year. Each week's winners will also receive a month's subscription to the newspaper of the community they represent.
In April, each senior Athlete of the Week winner from all three sports seasons will submit an application for the scholarship.
Leader Publications will then select a boys' and girls' Athlete of the Year from either Cassopolis, Dowagiac or Edwardsburg.
The two athletes will receive a scholarship for an as yet to be determined amount. The winners will be named in May.
Questions regarding the Athlete of the Year scholarships can be directed to Mary Cooper at 687-7732 or Daily Star sports editor Adam Fisher at 687-7703.