By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
Buchanan's basketball team went into Friday's home-opener against Berrien Springs undefeated at 4-0. But head coach Reid McBeth was still uneasy.
The Bucks would be facing one of the most athletic teams they'd faced early in the season, and it would be the fourth game the team played in eight games.
As it turns out, it was no cause for concern, as the Bucks beat the Shamrocks easily, 67-52, led largely by senior guard Tony Robinson.
Robinson scored 26 points in two big victories last week, earning him the Niles Daily Star's Boys Athlete of the Week honors for Dec. 12-18.
His 10 points in a 40-point victory over Brandywine Dec. 14 weren't a team-high, but his defense played a key part in forcing the Bobcats into 24 turnovers resulting in numerous fast-break opportunites for Buchanan.
The Girls Athlete of the Week also helped lead her team to an important conference victory last week. Kelli Zache had six kills, five digs, three aces and three assists in Brandywine's 3-1 win over Bridgman Dec. 15.
The junior also was a prime factor in guiding the Bobcats to the quarterfinals at the Lakeshore Invitational Saturday. And she did it from a variety of positions.
Each week, the athletics directors from Niles, Brandywine and Buchanan 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 Niles, Brandywine or Buchanan.
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.