The Prep Players Spotlight is a new weekly feature of the Times Free Press that will highlight five area high school athletes whose performances since the previous Thursday stood out.
Howard’s Meechie Bowens lines up to knock down one of his five 3-pointers in a district road win over Brainerd on Saturday. / Staff photo by Patrick MacCoonThe left-handed 3-point ace has made a combined 15 shots from beyond the arc his past four games, helping the Hustlin’ Tigers to five straight wins – he sank a trio of treys in 40 seconds against Brainerd – and the No. 8 state ranking in Class AA.
Baylor junior Raegyn Conley shoots as a Signal Mountain defender moves toward her during the Best of Preps tournament’s girls’ championship game on Jan. 4 at Chattanooga State. / Staff photoEven while facing frequent double teams on the basketball court, the junior continues to produce in big ways for the Lady Red Raiders. The versatile 6-foot-2 post scored 25 points (including four 3-pointers) and grabbed eight rebounds in Saturday’s home win against a Briarcrest Christian team with 15 victories. Conley has averaged 20 points this season and recently surpassed 1,000 points for her prep career despite missing most of last season.
Cleveland’s Trae McDaniel, left, and Bradley Central’s Ethan Wilson wrestle during a 106-pound on Jan. 8, 2019, at Cleveland High School. / Staff photo by C.B. SchmelterThe junior wrestler who is committed to Army has made a seamless transition to the 126-pound weight class this season after going undefeated at 106 in 2018-19. This past weekend he had three pins and a technical fall to win his bracket and help the Blue Raiders, state-ranked No. 1 in AAA, take the team title at the Ed Cressel Classic in Bristol, Virginia.
Caleb Milen, Polk County
Polk County basketball player Caleb Milen / Contributed photoThe sophomore guard has scored a combined 60 points his past two games, including 32 points and five steals in a 66-65 victory Tuesday night at Sequoyah, and his aggressive style of offense has helped the Wildcats to a 13-3 record so far this season.
Janya West, Central
The Lady Purple Pounders have won two of their past three basketball games thanks largely to their athletic guard setting the tone on both ends of the court. She has been on an offensive tear lately, scoring 51 points to go with 19 steals in her past three contests.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.