The Starting Five: Athletes of the Week

Nevaeh Clark - Cromwell (Basketball): Clark dished out a career-high 12 assists, adding 11 points and six rebounds, as the Panthers steamrolled Old Saybrook 64-26 on Jan. 21. The junior guard’s distributions benefited Jessica Grodzicki and Adela Cecunjanin, who scored 17 and 15 points, respectively.  
           
Alex Sikorski - Rocky Hill (Basketball): Sikorski, a 2017 RHHS-graduate, scored 24 points, including a pair of thunderous dunks in overtime as Western New England University beat Suffolk 88-81 on Jan. 22. Sikorski, who was an All-State player and made headlines for a highlight-reel dunk in high school in 2017, added eight rebounds, six assists, and three steals in the win over Suffolk. He is the Golden Bears leading scorer, averaging over 17 points per game. 
           
Tito Ortiz- Newington (Wrestling): Ortiz took first place in the 152 lb. bracket at the 35 Annual New Milford Tournament on Jan. 22. The senior dominated Xavier Marchena of New Milford in the championship match, winning by a technical fall (16-0). Junior teammate Seamus Oates (220 lbs.) finished fourth at the tourney held at New Milford High School.   
           
Thomas Lunt - Xavier (Wrestling): Lunt defeated Cal Muese of Fitch (6-4) to win the 220 lbs. division at the Colter Abeley Tournament in Middletown on Jan. 22. The senior helped the Falcons take first place at the tourney as freshman Jackson Heslin (120 lbs.) and sophomore Anthony Basile (126 lbs.) also took home first place finishes.    
           
Vanessa Venditti - Wethersfield (Basketball): Venditti scored a season-high 26 points against Windsor on Jan. 18 and followed it up with a 14-point performance in a couple of quarters of work during a 65-30 victory over Rocky Hill on Jan. 21. The junior guard is the leading scorer for an Eagles team that enters the week at 4-4.
               
To nominate someone as an Athlete of the Week or with questions or comments on sports-related topics, email Josh Howard at joshhowardsports@gmail.com