Vote for The Charlotte Observer boys’ high school athlete of the week: Dec. 22

Below are the nominees for The Charlotte Observer boys’ high school athlete of the week.

The poll closes Friday. You may vote as often as you like.

Note: Poll results may not always be shown.

This week’s nominees

Chris Aristondo, South Mecklenburg swimming: The Sabres’ star won the 200 individual medley (1:55.90) and finished second in the 100 freestyle (47.90) as South Meck lost to rival Ardrey Kell on Dec. 13. Aristondo is UNC Wilmington commit.

Brent Banks, Hickory Grove basketball: The 5-foot-10 sophomore scored 28 points to go with 15 rebounds, three assists and two steals in a 77-70 overtime victory over Union Academy on Dec. 12.

Banks also had 18 points and five rebounds in a 72-47 loss to Westminster Catawba on Dec. 15.

Banks is averaging 24.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, two assists and 1.7 steals per game for Hickory Grove (4-7) this season.

Amare Bethel, Charlotte Country Day basketball: The 6-3 senior scored 39 points to lead Charlotte Country Day to an 87-56 win at Trinity Academy of Durham and Chapel Hill on Dec. 16.

The previous night, Bethel had 20 points in a 73-63 overtime loss at Cary Academy.

Reggie Daniel, Mountain Island Charter indoor track/football: The Raptors’ senior won the 55-meter hurdles and helped the 800 relay team to victory and earned most valuable player honors at the Donna Davis Holiday Invitational at the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem on Dec. 14.

Daniel also finished as runner-up in the 300-meter dash at the same meet.

Daniel, who also plays for the Mountain Island Charter football team, caught six passes for 53 yards in the Queen City Senior Bowl at Olympic High School on Dec. 16.

Dylan Deluca, United Faith basketball: The 6-foot-6 junior scored 31 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, had three assists, two blocks and a steal in an 86-63 victory over Carolina International on Dec. 12.

Deluca also scored 23 points in a 71-61 victory over Covenant Day on Dec. 15.

Deluca finished off the week with 11 points, six rebounds and three assists in a 78-48 win over Georgia’s Rabun Gap on Dec. 16

Brady Donovan, Hickory Ridge wrestling: The Ragin’ Bulls’ junior won the 106-pound title at the Foard Tough wrestling tournament at Fred T. Foard High on Dec. 16.

Donovan went 3-0 in the tournament with two pins. Donovan is 25-1 overall this season.

Grant Hamilton, Weddington basketball: The 6-2 senior scored 37 points, including seven 3-pointers, with seven rebounds and three steals to lead Weddington to an 81-78 win over Gaston Christian on Dec. 16.

Hamilton also scored 19 points, had four rebounds and three assists in a 68-58 victory at Cox Mill on Dec. 15.

Hamilton started off the week with 27 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals in a 70-56 win at Parkwood on Dec. 12.

Hamilton went 16-for-31 from the three-point line during the week.

Hamilton, a Roanoke College (VA) commit), is averaging 22 points, four rebounds, and two steals per game for a Weddington team that was 9-0 through Sunday.

Braylon Irelan, Lake Norman Charter basketball: The 6-1 senior scored 27 points and had four steals in a 66-63 loss at Concord on Dec. 15.

Irelan also had 13 points and four steals in a 68-62 loss to Pine Lake Prep on Dec. 12.

Irelan is averaging 20 points, two assists and two steals per game for Lake Norman Charter (4-4).

Shamari Johnson, Rocky River basketball: The 6-4 senior scored 22 points to go with eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in a 74-68 victory over Piedmont on Dec. 12.

Johnson added 22 points in a 62-60 loss at Charlotte Catholic on Dec. 15.

Johnson is averaging 15.9 points and nine rebounds for Rocky River (4-7).

Kellen Karr, North Lincoln basketball: The 6-6 junior scored 37 points, had 15 rebounds, 10 assists, six steals and a block in a 103-59 win over South Iredell on Dec. 12.

The next day, Karr scored 25 points to go with 13 rebounds, eight assists and two steals in an 83-70 victory at Statesville.

Karr is averaging 18.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.3 steals and one block per game for North Lincoln.

Santana Lynch, Lake Norman basketball: The 6-5 senior scored 19 points and grabbed 13 points in a 62-49 at Mount Tabor on Dec. 12.

Lynch also scored 16 points in a 97-56 victory over Statesville on Dec. 15.

Lynch is averaging 15 points for a Lake Norman (9-0 through Monday).

Garrett Morgan, Queens Grant basketball: The 6-3 senior shooting guard poured in 42 points to go with nine steals, five rebounds, one assist and one block in an 85-59 win over Grace Academy on Dec. 15.

Morgan also had 21 points, three rebounds, six assists and seven steals in an 81-27 win over Charlotte Lab School on Dec. 13.

Morgan scored 34 points, grabbed six rebounds, two assists and two steals in a 59-47 loss at Sun Valley.

Morgan is averaging 27.2 points, 5.5 steals, 5.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.1 blocks for Queens Grant (7-6).

** Information published today includes statistics through December 16.

If you want to nominate an athlete: Athletes of the week highlights high school players with outstanding performances. The goal is to recognize all athletes in all sports, both the most accomplished and the underrated or underappreciated players. If you want to suggest someone to be included in the athletes of the week column, send email to Jay Edwards at edwardswork23@gmail.com. Please include the athletes’ name, school, class and applicable game performance statistics. Coaches must be willing to verify information.

How to vote

To vote in the poll, you must type “yes” into the box below BEFORE the poll will show. After you type yes and hit return, the poll will appear. To vote again, simply refresh the page. You may vote as often as you like.

If you cannot see the box on mobile, click here.