Ravenscroft senior Aliya Richmond is the News & Observer HS athlete of the week

After nearly 75,000 total votes were cast, Ravenscroft girls basketball star Aliya Richmond won the News & Observer athlete of the week award.

Richmond received nearly 32,000 votes to win this week’s award. Thales Academy’s Collin Johnson was second.

Richmond, a 5-foot-9 senior, averaged 19 points, 7.3 steals, 5.6 rebounds and four assists per game wins over Cary Academy, Wake Christian and Wakefield last week.

Richmond had 19 points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists in a 57-35 win at Wakefield Jan. 18.

She followed that up with 23 points, eight rebounds, eight steals and five assists in a 67-35 win over Cary Academy Jan. 20.

Richmond finished off her week with 15 points, 10 steals, five assists and four rebounds in a 61-5 win over Wake Christian Jan. 22.

As of Sunday, Richmond was averaging 18 points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists per game.

▪ A new round of nominees will be released this weekend and a new poll will begin.

Want to nominate an athlete?: Athletes of the week highlights high school players with outstanding performances. The goal is to recognize all athletes in all sports, both the mostaccomplished and the underrated or underappreciated players. If you want to suggest someone to be included in the Athletes of the week column, send email to Jay Edwards at edwardsraleighnewsobserver@gmail.com.

This story was originally published January 24, 2021 at 4:00 PM.