By Andy Walter

Smyrna High girls’ basketball player Kai Burnette was voted the State News Athlete of the Week.

The sophomore point guard tallied 47 points in a pair of wins for the Eagles. Burnette, who scored 20 points or more in three straight games, also had eight rebounds, 12 steals and seven assists.

For the season, Burnette is averaging 15.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 5.0 steals per game.  Her season highs  are 26 points, 13 rebounds, 10 steals and six assists.

“At her first year at the point guard position, Kai Burnette is coming into her own,” said Eagles coach Erique Gumbs. “She is a tremendous athlete and has a motor second to none. She is able to help her team win in many ways outside of scoring.

“Her passing and rebounding have markedly improved during this season. Defense is her calling card. She takes pride in giving her team energy from steals and deflections.”

The Athlete of the Week is nominated and chosen by our readers. The nominating period starts at 2 p.m. on Friday and ends at noon on Monday. A voting period follows from 5 p.m. Monday through 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Here is the link to nominate someone for next week:

https://delawarestatenews.secondstreetapp.com/Athlete-of-the-Week-2-10-23/gallery/

This process is performed exclusively online. When nominating an athlete, please include name, school and sport as well as a photo and brief description of why he or she deserves that week’s honor.

All nominations must be high school varsity athletes and come from high schools within Kent or Sussex counties. The winner appears in print and online each Friday.

Andy Walter can be reached at 302-741-8227 or walter@iniusa.org
Follow on Twitter at @DSNSports.