A pair of underclassmen stars in the Mid-Illini wowed with several big performances near the end of the regular season and won last week’s Torq Fitness Athletes of the Week.
Dunlap freshman Amiyah Gulley was voted Girls Athlete of the Week after putting up two double-digit scoring performances against formidable conference foes, including leading her team in an upset win over Class 3A No. 4 Morton. East Peoria sophomore Quinton Kitt won Boys Athlete of the Week after scoring 86 points combined in three Raiders wins, including a 72-69 win in overtime over Class 3A No. 3 Morton.
Read more about our winners and get to know them in Q and A’s below:
Gulley won Torq Fitness Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 42 percent of the votes in the girls poll. The Eagles star freshman was the catalyst in a big 60-48 late-season win over Morton on Feb. 7, leading Dunlap with 19 points. Even though the Eagles came up short in a loss to Washington earlier in the week, Gulley was still a factor by scoring 13 points. She’s helped the Eagles win six of their last eight as they head into the Class 3A Richwoods Regional semifinals against the host Knights on Tuesday.
Get to know Gulley in a Q and A here:
What’s been your favorite memory of the season/offseason so far?
“Going to the Christmas tournament in Rockford.”
If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?
“My teammate Sammi Yeh because she the smartest on the team.”
Favorite music artist?
“Rod Wave.”
Favorite food?
‘Pizza.”
Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?
“Listen to music.”
Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?
“Uconn’s Paige Bueckers.”
Do you have any hidden talents?
“[I can] palm a men’s basketball.”
Who’s your role model and why?
“My father and why he taught me how to play basketball and also life on and off the court.”
Kitt won Torq Fitness Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving a whopping 77 percent of the total votes in the boys poll. The East Peoria sophomore took his game to a new level, scoring 32 points and bringing in 12 rebounds to will his team to an 86-82 overtime win over Champaign Centennial on Feb. 4 and dropped in 34 points to lead the Raiders in a 72-69 overtime win over state-ranked Morton on Feb. 8. Kitt also filled up the stat sheet with 20 points and 12 rebounds in a 54-46 win over Washington on Feb. 5. Kitt recently scored his 1,000th career point in a 55-51 East Peoria win over Peoria Notre Dame on Feb. 15 and picked up a college offer from Bradley.
Get to know Kitt in a Q and A here:
What’s been your favorite memory of the season/offseason so far?
“Beating Peoria High.”
If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?
“Cole [DuBois] because he’s kinda smart.”
Favorite music artist?
“Future.”
Favorite food?
“Crabs.”
Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?
“Eat Chick-Fil-A.”
Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?
“LeBron James.”
Who’s your role model and why?
“My mom because she helps with everything and without her and my family, I couldn’t do half the things I do today.”
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