information provided by Illiana Christian High School
Female Athlete of the Month: Emma West
Female Athlete of the Month: Emma West
Emma West recently finished her fourth year of Illiana basketball and her second year on the varsity squad. She enjoyed playing in Super Sectionals her junior year and growing closer to friends. She hopes to continue playing intramural basketball at Hope College next year.
Junior teammate Mickey Boss said of West, “She was a great leader. She always had a great attitude and was an awesome example for younger players.”
Male Athlete of the Month: Payton Smit
Senior guard Payton Smit gave a spark to the basketball team this year. He was active on defense as the team’s best defender, and on offense as the third highest scorer.
“[Smit] has a lot of energy. He is quick on defense; he is all over the place. He comes to play every day,” said junior forward Colton DeJong. “He is one of the leaders on our team. He is always positive in the locker room, and he is never getting on us and never blaming us.
