Patch MVP: Who's the Athlete of the Week?

A bowler? A Wrestler? Or a basketball standout? Who will hear the loudest roar from the crowd in voting for Southland Patch's MVP, Jan. 25-Feb. 3?

UPDATE: Homewood-Flossmoor's Ricky Bullock is Patch MVP

Homewood-Flossmoor's Ricky Bullock outpolled 10 others in voting for Southland Patch's MVP, Jan. 28-Feb. 3. He is now eligible for Patch Athlete of the Month honors.

Your Patch is a place to celebrate local high school athletes. Show your support for these prep sports MVPs—each of whom is Athlete of the Week in his or her local Patch—by cheering them on in the comments thread, sharing your own photos with the Patch community and voting in the poll. Do you think we're missing someone? Tell us in the comments and share his or her photo to the gallery above. (It's easy. Just click the Upload Photos and Videos link — learn more here.) Read more about this week's MVPs in the photo gallery, and show your support for them by: There is one more way for you to become a more interactive fan: Sign up to become a Patch sports blogger. (Learn more about blogging on Patch here).

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UPDATE: And the Winner in Voting for Patch Athlete of the Week is ...

See who outpolled six others in voting during our Patch Athlete of the Week contest from Jan. 22-28.

Andrew boys bowling standout Josh Powell outpolled six others in voting for Patch Athlete of the Week, Jan. 22-28. He is now eligible for January Patch Athlete of the Month recognition. Taylor Boardman, senior, forward, girls basketball, Lincoln-Way North. Boardman scored 25 points and led the Phoenix to a 54-39 victory over Thornwood in Southwest Suburban Red Conference action. Johnny Finnin, senior, guard, boys basketball, Lincoln-Way Central. Finnin scored 22 points in the Knights’ 51-34 victory over Shepard. His emergence as a scorer has helped take some of the pressure off Central’s 6-8 Brad Foster. Brandon Janda, senior, goalkeeper, boys club hockey, Stagg. Janda averaged more than 30 saves in games vs. Lyons Township (5-3 loss), …

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14 Reasons for Andrew to Remain No. 1 in Boys Basketball Power Rankings

Andrew is riding a 14-game winning streak heading into tonight's game at Lincoln-Way West. The T-Bolts remain No. 1 in the Patch's Power Rankings for boys basketball. Bloom has climbed back to the No. 2 spot.

1. Andrew (14-0): Defense remains the constant for the T-Bolts, who overcame a sluggish start in a 58-37 victory over Tinley Park. Double-Double machine Jubril Adekoya scored 17 points and pulled down 17 rebounds. Andrew plays Lincoln-Way West at 7 p.m. Friday in New Lenox. 2. Bloom (16-3): Donald Moore stepped to the free throw line and stepped up his game in the Trojans’ 63-56 victory over Homewood-Flossmoor. He made 17-of-19 free throws as Bloom rallied in the fourth quarter to top H-F for the second time this season. Dejahown Freeman scored 12 points and Lejavius Johnson 10. 3. Marist (16-5): The RedHawks dropped a heart-breaking 64-62 decision to Seton Academy despite the late-game heroics of Nic Weishar and L.J. McIntosh. The two …

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UPDATE: The Winner in Patch Athlete of the Week Voting is ...

Sandburg senior boys basketball standout Brian Dace was the hero in the Eagles' victory over Minooka at the Hinsdale South holiday tournament. Now, he has been voted Patch Athlete of the Week.

Sandburg's Brian Dace outpolled five others in voting for Patch Athlete of the Week, Dec. 25-31. He is now eligible for December Patch Athlete of the Month recognition. The candidates: Brian Dace, senior, guard, boys basketball, Sandburg. Dace scored 13 points in a 37-29 victory over Minooka at the Hinsdale South tournament. He was the only player to reach double figures in classic defensive battle. Martin Einikis, junior, guard/forward, boys basketball, Oak Lawn. Einikis made 7-of-14 shots and scored 17 points in a 60-45 victory over Lincoln-Way West at the Medieval Classic. He also grabbed four rebounds and blocked two shots. Kyle Funkhouser, senior, guard/forward, boys basketball, Oak Forest. Funkhouser scored 18 points on 6-of-10 …

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Johnson's Emergence Keys Run for Top-Rated Bloom Boys Basketball

Bloom remains undefeated and sits atop the weekly Patch Power Rankings in boys basketball. Marist, Homewood-Flossmoor and Andrew are off to great starts, too.

1. Bloom (7-0): The Bulls had MJ. The Blazing Trojans have LJ. Lejavius Johnson has emerged as a sparkplug for a Bloom team that puts its undefeated record on the line in a home game Saturday vs. Leo. 2. Marist (7-1): L.J. McIntosh scored 20 points in a 63-51 victory over Rich South. And it’s a good thing, too. The RedHawks won despite allowing the Stars to snare 18 offensive rebounds. Coach Gene Nolan was not happy about that. 3. Homewood-Flossmoor (5-2): Vikings play host to Southwest Suburban Blue rival Lincoln-Way East tonight, then turn their attention toward the Proviso West Holiday tournament. Yes, it's time for Delvon Rencher to shine. 4. Andrew (5-0): The T-Bolts have a chance to finish the year with a bang. First, they meet …

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