Princeton QB Paul Edens, NCSSM’s Mariam Abdelbarr win N&O high school honors

Here are the News & Observer high school award winners:

▪ The athlete of the week is Mariam Abdelbarr of North Carolina School of Science and Math Girls’ Basketball. The Unicorns’ junior forward averaged 19 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and seven steals in wins over Howard and South Wake Academy to help her team to a 2-0 start this week.

Abdelbarr had 20 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and nine steals to lead the Unicorns to a 67-33 win at South Wake Academy, Nov. 8.

She followed that up with 18 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and five steals in a 62-32 win over Howard, Nov. 10.

▪ The football player of the week is Princeton QB/LB Paul Edens. Edens had 17 carries for 166 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-31 win over Kinston last week. He was 2-of-2 passing for 59 yards. On defense, Edens had 14 tackles.

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 most accomplished 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. Please include the athletes’ name, school, class and applicable game performance statistics. Coaches must be willing to verify information.

This story was originally published November 15, 2021 at 11:19 AM.