Kendra Weledji named HyVee Athlete of the Week

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - The St. Thomas Aquinas Saints found themselves in a defensive slugfest in the Class 5A state championship game. Mill Valley wasn't going to give anything easy to Kendra Weledji and her teammates.

"None of our shots were going in," she said. "So, we really had to rely on our defense."

The Saints combined stellar defense with just enough offense to capture the state title with a 23-22 victory. Weledji led the way with nine points.

"It was really nice because there's been so many good teams at Aquinas. To carry on the tradition was a really fun and exciting moment," she explained.

The junior was a big reason the Saints posted a 24-1 record, according to head coach Rick Hetzel.

"She really stepped up this year, towards the end of the year in particular and really led her team really well," he said.