Each week, the sports crew at King FM and KSTC shuffles through the stack of stats we get form all our area schools high schools and NJC sports programs and find the best performances of the week. Then, you get to vote for the performance you think should be dubbed “King of the Week” presented by Ertle Brothers Discount Auto. Then, each Saturday morning we announce the player you voted as simply the best!

Here’s the 411 on the rules…

1. A player can be nominated as many times during a sports season as he/she can. Once players have been nominated for the “King of the Week” honor, your votes and your votes alone in the poll on the right-hand sidebar will choose which one was the best. In the event of a tie, the sports crew reserves the right to break the tie as they see fit.
2. Please limit yourself to one vote per week. The sports crew should not need to consume their time in eliminating votes due to abuse. If the player you have the intense desire to vote for over and over truly had the best performance of the week, others will vote for that performance. (Note: Nowhere in the rules does it state you cannot encourage others to vote for a given performance). Please have respect for those who follow the rules and those who put on this process. Please do not require drastic changes to be made to this process.
3. Once a player has been named “King of the Week” they do not become eligible to be nominated for “King of the Week” again until the postseason of their current sports season or the next sports season (whichever occurs first).
4. And finally, I didn't think I needed to put this out there but apparently I do. King of the Week voting is for entertainment purposes only! This is not a prize-winning contest with trophies, plaques, scholarships, or anything else. This is merely internet public opinion of which performance was better. It bears no weight in any other venue.

Get it? Good. Now take a look at this week’s crop of nominees and vote in the poll on the sidebar for the one you would like chosen as “King of the Week” presented by Ertle Brothers Discount Auto:

Jaden Winger (Yuma) - For a player that has scored in double figures every game this season for the Indians, his nomination comes because of his ability to dish and steal in must-win games for Yuma last week.  Needing two victories to keep themselves atop the Patriot League, Winger came away with 12 assists and 7 steals against Lyons and Highland.  He also didn't do to shabby on the scoring end, amassing 25 points in the two games.

Jerrell Washington (NJC) - Call him "Clutch" Washington for his OT performance against Trinidad State JC on Friday night.  With NJC up by 1 in the waning seconds of OT, Jerrell corralled an offensive rebound off a missed free throw and drew a foul.  After the TSJC coach drew a technical, Jerrell went to the free throw line and calmly sunk all 4 charities to give NJC a 100-95 win.  On the week he scored 38 points against EWC and TSJC.

Kolby Wahlert (Brush) - The Beetdiggers are winners of 7 straight thanks to a 3-0 week last week and thanks to Kolby's outstanding games.  During the three wins against Strasburg, Holy Family and Highland, Wahlert averaged 23 points per game.  Now, it's up to Kolby and the Beetdiggers to continue being this hot.  They host Yuma on Thursday for the Patriot League regular season crown.

Marissa Smith (Holyoke) - Many were looking past last Friday's Wray-Holyoke matchup to this Thursday's Merino-Wray game.  Marissa was not one as her Dragons defeated Wray 53-50 and shuffled up the LPAA picture.  Marissa scored 18 points in that game, but she and the Dragons weren't done.  They took out 11-4 Burlington on Saturday thanks to Smith's 16 points.

Morgan Colburn (Sterling) - Sometimes it's not about the total point outcome.  Sometimes it's about getting what is needed at a given moment.  Morgan provided just that as Sterling clung to a precious two point lead at Silver Creek on Friday.  With the possibility of a home game in the first round of the conference tournament hanging in the balance, Morgan sung two clutch free throws and finished off the Raptors with her 9th and 10th points.

Morgan Wilkening (Fleming) - Amid off-court turmoil, the Fleming Lady Wildcats have shown resillience on the court getting two wins against Weldon Valley on Friday and Haxtun on Saturday.  Morgan finished those two games with 26 points and 12 rebounds.  She was especially necessary in Saturday's win as foul trouble struck Fleming early.  She stepped in and dropped free throws to keep Haxtun at bay, finishing the game 8-for-9 from the charity stripe.

Nicole Carpenter (Peetz) - To the surprise of many, the Peetz Lady Bulldogs took out Weldon Valley 58-55 on Saturday and shuffled up the North Central.  Nicole was a huge part of that win, scoring 16 points and snagging 5 steals.  Nicole hit the final bucket from the floor and stole the ball from the Warriors in the waning seconds to ensure the victory.

Sabelle Diata (NJC) - Sabelle has been downright dominant this season and earns another nomination for King of the Week.  Last week she finished off two games against EWC and Air Force Prep with 44 points and 26 rebounds.  Her versatility has shown through with 3 assists in both games as well.

Tyson Urrutia (Merino) - Wrestling is headed toward regionals this weekend and no one may be hotter than Merino's Tyson's Urrutia.  The 215-pound senior has taken gold at the past two weekend tournaments and has won his last 10 matches over the past three weekends.  Last weekend he went 3-0 at the always difficult Charger Invite in Southern Colorado.

Merino's Tyson Urrutia won this week's King of the Week competition with 31% of the votes!