When one person scores a third of their team's points in any given basketball game, that sort of performance would most likely merit being honored with the Hy-Vee 41 Five-Star Athlete of the Week.
St. Pius X boys basketball junior guard Tommy Hoambrecker is this week's Athlete of the Week winner.
Hoambrecker's performance last Friday in the Warriors' season opener at Nevada was stellar. He scored 25 points - albeit in a losing effort as St. Pius X lost 60-53. However, Hoambrecker helped to keep St. Pius X in the game until the very end.
John Coakley is in his first year as the St. Pius X Boys Basketball Head Coach. He's had a chance to witness Hoambrecker's hard work first hand.
"Tommy is a quiet workhorse," Coakley said. "He doesn't make a whole lot of fuss about what he's doing. But under pressure, he's cool as a cucumber. He works really hard in the weight room. And, I think it showed in our game last week. He was able to do some things in the paint, get to the basket, draw some fouls and also get other people involved. I think it just gave us a spark as a whole."
Hoambrecker told 41 Action News that he was pleased to receive the Athlete of the Week honor. However, he credited his coaches for a solid game plan and his teammates for their support.
"We set up a lot of plays for all of us to score," Hoambrecker said. "One [of the plays], it was just me driving down the lane [for] kick out opportunities. And, an opportunity just opened up for me to score."
Hoambrecker said this year can be solid for St. Pius X.
"I see us going far in districts, maybe past districts. That would be great," he said. "You know, we moved to [Missouri Class 4] this year. So, that's new. But, I think we got a lot of players that can play. And, I think we're gonna be alright."
NOTE: The Hy-Vee 41 Five-Star Athlete of the Week segment airs every Thursday night during the 10 p.m. sportscast for the entire school year.
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Ryan Marshall can be reached at Ryan.Marshall@KSHB.com.
