Des Moines Iowa — This week’s Hy-Vee Horizon Athletes of the Week, as selected by Sports Spotlight are Unity Christian’s Kassidy De Jong and Gladbrook-Reinbeck’s Joe Smoldt who were chosen due to their exceptional performances this season in boys and girls basketball.
Kassidy De Jong, Sr., Unity Christian (Orange City)
De Jong was instrumental in the Knights winning their first-ever girls state basketball championship, averaging 15.7 points, 9 rebounds and 5 steals per game, and she named to the 2A All-Tournament Team along with being named to the Sports Spotlight Class 2A 1st Team All-State team. In the state championship game, the senior dropped in 29 points and a quartet of 3-pointers to go along with 8 rebounds to lead the way in a 69-40 victory over North Linn.
Joe Smoldt, Soph., Gladbrook-Reinbeck
Smoldt was spectacular in the Rebels’ 80-57 Class 1A quarterfinal victory over Nodaway Valley on Monday. The sophomore scored a game-high 31 points on 11-of-15 shooting, which included a stellar 6-of-7 mark from behind the arc. He also pulled down 6 rebounds and dished out 5 assists in the victory.
Sports Spotlight will recognize athletes each week, in addition to its commitment to the monthly recognition of all athletes in the Sports Spotlight magazine.
Sports Spotlight President Rush Nigut said, “One of our main goals as an organization is to foster not only good athletic performance, but also a dedication to sportsmanship, This is just another great way for us to do that”.
