MALE
Peyton Walden // Columbus Christian senior basketball player
Walden led the Crusaders with 22 points in a 72-52 loss to Calvary Christian, 23 points in an 82-40 win against Stone City Christian and 14 points in a 38-35 win over Clinton Christian.
His performance last week: “It definitely could have been better. There’s always stuff to improve on, but defensively, I think I’ve been doing a pretty good job and not fouling.”
Do you do anything special to prepare? “We always pray in the locker room first and stretch out.”
Favorite drink: “Sweet tea”
Favorite food: “Chicken noodle soup”
Favorite class: “Bible class”
Favorite sports team: “Indiana University”
Favorite athlete: “Trayce Jackson-Davis”
Role model: “My dad (Jonathan Walden)”
Best advice: “Don’t drop your head if you’re not making shots. Just think the next one is going to go in.”
Athletics goal: “I’d love to just be able to play in college at any level.”
If you could travel anywhere: “The mountains of Colorado. I just like how it looks out there. It’s super pretty.”
FEMALE
Hadassah Hurt // Columbus North girls basketball player
Hurt led the Bull Dogs with a career-high 23 points in a 51-23 win at Southport and had 10 points in Thursday’s 77-53 victory at New Albany.
Her performance last week: “I thought we worked really well as a team.”
Do you do anything special to prepare? “When I tie my shoes, I do my right foot, then my left. It’s kind of superstition.”
Favorite drink: “Mountain Berry Blast Powerade”
Favorite food: “Mexican”
Favorite class: “AP Psychology”
Favorite sports team: “In the WNBA, I like the New York Liberty.”
Favorite athlete: “Steph Curry”
Role model: “My parents (Dawn and Rob Hurt) and my grandma (Brenda Wells). They really support me a lot. They come to all my games and keep my motivated.”
Best advice: “If you look at yourself after practice or a game, is it going to help or hurt your team if everybody practiced or played the same way you did?’’
Athletics goal: “I’d like to win sectional this year.”
If you could travel anywhere: “Hawaii, because it’s just really pretty there, and I would like to see all the scenery and the views.”