ATHLETES OF THE WEEK: DUSTY STEPHENS

Dusty Stephens

School: Marquand

Sport: Basketball

Coach: Grady Smith

Week report: Stephens put together possibly the most impressive week by a player in Southeast Missouri this season. In three games the 6-foot-3 senior averaged 37.3 points and 17 rebounds. The Tigers went 3-0 on the week: Stephens scored 32 points and pulled down 15 rebounds against Valley of Caledonia; he hit up Valle of Ste. Genevieve for 33 points and 15 rebounds; and then capped the week with a gaudy 47-point, 21-rebound performance against Oak Ridge.

Season report: Stephens has been among the leading scorers in the area throughout the season. He averages 26.8 points a game. He was recently named to the Mississippi Valley All-Conference team.

Coach's comments: "He's had an outstanding season, but that comes as no surprise," said Smith. "He's one of the finest young men I've ever been around. He's so coachable, he wouldn't even frown if I made him water boy. He's just got great determination and he's worked very hard to arrive at the success here his senior year. He's just a first-class guy and he deserves this success."