WyoPreps Athlete of the Week Awards Go to Hanft and Summers

Two underclass basketball players earned The Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Wyoming WyoPreps Athlete of the Week honors for Feb. 14, 2024. Sheridan freshman sensation Mesa Hanft receives the girls’ honor. Laramie junior Neil Summers gets the boys’ honor. Both enjoyed good efforts individually and helped their team to 2-0 records on the court between Feb. 5 and Feb. 10, 2024.

Hanft averaged 17.5 points and 11 rebounds per game last weekend to help the Broncs win both their games against Cheyenne South and then No. 4 Laramie. The freshman had 13 points and 13 rebounds in a 66-35 victory against the Bison. Hanft added one assist and two steals. She followed that with 22 points and 9 rebounds in a 52-36 win over the fourth-ranked Plainsmen. That included a 12-16 effort at the free-throw line. Sheridan is now 14-4 on the season.

WyoPreps spoke with Hanft after practice on Wednesday. She said she owed her success to her teammates. Hanft described her play in the two wins, how her team was so effective, how they got off to a great start against Laramie, and more.

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Summers averaged 19.5 points and 8 rebounds per game last week. He helped the second-ranked Plainsmen go 2-0 on a difficult road swing to then fourth-rated Natrona County and Sheridan. Summers registered a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds in a 57-44 victory at NC over the Mustangs. The junior followed that with 27 points and 5 rebounds in an overtime win at Sheridan, 83-81. Summers went 6-6 against the Broncs and was part of Laramie’s 15-16 effort at the charity stripe. That equates to 94 percent. The Plainsmen improved to 15-2 on the season with Summers’ help.

We visited practice in Laramie on Wednesday to chat with Summers. He touched on his play in the road wins, how big those were and what it does for the team, what it’s like being the focal point of opponents on defense, his supporting cast, and more.

Congrats to Mesa and Neil on a well-deserved honor!

The WyoPreps Athlete of the Week nominations are open from Fridays at 5 p.m. until Mondays at 9 a.m. Coaches, family, friends, and student-athletes can nominate deserving student-athletes. Early and late nominations are not accepted.

Last Week's WyoPreps Athlete of the Week Winners