Princeton football player, Panther Creek basketball star are athletes of the week

Here are the winners of the News & Observer’s weekly high school awards.

Football player of the week: Christian Perris, Princeton: filling in for injured star Jaydon Brooks for the second straight game, Perris had 247 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries in a 45-28 win over defending 2AA regional champ St. Paul’s Nov. 26.

Athlete of the week: Taylor Barner, Panther Creek basketball: The 5-foot-7 sophomore guard averaged 23.5 points and four steals per game as Panther Creek got off to a 2-0 start this season with wins over E.E. Smith and Leesville Road.

Barner had 23 points, five assists and five steals in 68-24 win at Leesville Road Nov. 23.

She also had 24 points and three steals to lead the Catamounts to a 62-52 victory over E.E. Smith Nov. 27.

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 29, 2021 at 4:57 PM.