Brinker played a huge role in Nemaha Valley's return trip to the 2A state tournament in Manhattan. On Tuesday in the 1^st round of sub-state against Onaga, Brinker scored 22 points. On Friday at the 2A Sub-State Tournament at Valley Heights, Brinker scored 25 points in the semifinals against Wathena. On Saturday, Brinker scored 16 points as his team knocked off Washington County in the finals to qualify for the state tourney. Dane has also played with a heavy heart dedicating his season and driven by the dream of winning a state championship for his dad who passed away when he was younger.

Congratulations to Northeast Kansas Sports.com's athlete of the week, Nemaha Valley's Dane Brinker.

Others who were nominated and deserve recognition:

Holton's Forrestal Hickman, who scored 19 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in the 1^st round of sub-state against Jeff West and on Thursday in the sub-state semifinals, Hickman added 14 points and 7 rebounds in a win over Maur Hill and maintained his consistent play with another 14 points in a sub-state championship win over Pleasant Ridge. Holton has qualified for the 4A state tournament.

Marysville's Jessica Downard who played a big role in the Lady Bulldogs come from behind sub-state win over Sabetha. Marysville trailed at one point by 17 points, but Downard scored 30 points, went 5-5 from the foul line, and hit the winning shot with :06 left in the game to lead Marysville to a stirring 54-53 win. Jessica is averaging 15.5 points and 2.9 assists per game.

Sabetha's Levi Winkler who posted two double-doubles at sub-state. In a 1^st round victory over Marysville, Winkler scored 17 points and snared 14 rebounds. In the sub-state semis against KC Christian, Levi had a gigantic game with 17 points and 19 rebounds. On the season, Winkler averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds. He shot over 50% from the floor, 30% from three point land, and 67% from the foul line. His coach Scott Burger added this about Winkler, "His desire to get every rebound is the best I've seen in several years."