Tribune Opens Athlete of the Week Voting Featuring Local High-Scoring Nominees

Voting opened on Jan. 26 for the South Bend Tribune Athlete of the Week covering Jan. 19-24, and the ballot highlights 17 nominees from 14 area schools after a week of eye-catching scoring nights across northern Indiana. The roundup gives fans a chance to weigh in on performances that mattered on the court and in community conversations.

Standout entries include Bremen's Chase Devine, who scored 21 points in the Bi-County final against Culver on Jan. 24, and Emma Kincaid of the Bremen girls, who poured in 15 points and reached the 1,000-career-point milestone. At Penn, Caleb Coolman led the way with 31 points in a win over Fort Wayne Wayne, while Jimtown's Zander Whitaker scored 29 as Jimtown rolled to an 83-62 victory over South Bend Washington. Those specific box score lines anchor the Tribune's package and give voters measurable performance criteria to consider.

Game outcomes and player production drove narratives for each nominee. Devine's 21 in a championship-setting contest underscored Bremen's offensive balance in a rivalry-fueled Bi-County final. Kincaid's 1,000th point provides a milestone moment that amplifies interest in Bremen's program and highlights sustained excellence in the girls game. Coolman's 31 against Fort Wayne Wayne signals a scoring punch Penn can ride into the rest of the schedule. Whitaker's 29 in an 83-62 win illustrates how one prolific scorer can elevate a team's margin in a decisive midseason matchup.

Beyond the box scores, the Tribune's vote functions as a micro-economy of exposure. Athlete of the Week recognition translates to social media buzz, more packed gyms at weekend games, and added traction for recruiting conversations. For players like Kincaid and Coolman, public acknowledgment can feed into college interest and local booster momentum. For programs such as Jimtown and Bremen, standout performances and subsequent coverage boost ticket sales and sponsorship attention, reinforcing the business model that keeps high school sports vibrant in small-market media ecosystems.

Culturally, the mix of boys and girls nominees and the inclusion of milestone achievements point to a growing parity in attention paid to girls basketball in the region. Milestone scoring nights become community touchstones, inspiring younger players and deepening school pride across town rivalries.

The Tribune's ballot offers fans a tangible way to influence which performances receive the spotlight. As teams push toward conference and sectional play, the Athlete of the Week vote will not only honor individual excellence but also shape local narratives and momentum heading into the season's critical stretch.