GRACIE RINER, Women's Basketball

Osborne Senior Gracie Riner has been named the NCKSSports.com/Cunningham Telephone and Cable Athlete of the Week.

Riner has gotten off to a hot start on the basketball court, helping lead the Osborne Lady Bulldogs to a 4-1 record so far this season.  She opened the season on December 1 by tying her career high with 33 points in a 71-43 win over Russell.  However, on Tuesday night, she topped that mark, putting up 34 points in a 65-45 win over Victoria in Osborne.  Riner scored 19 points in the first quarter, connecting on four three-pointers.  She added another nine points in the second quarter for a 28-point first half before scoring her final six points in the third quarter.  Riner went 10-20 from the floor and 5-8 from three-point land while also making all nine of her free throw attempts.  That performance came on the heels of helping lead her team to a third place finish at the Trego Purple & Gold Tournament last week in WaKeeney.  In the first round, Osborne beat Victoria 65-49 and Riner poured in 24 points.  She added another 14 in a tough semifinal loss to Hodgeman County before scoring 19 in a 41-39 overtime win over Oakley in the third place game.  On the season, Riner is now averaging 24.8 ppg for the Lady Dogs.

We will announce the winners each week. Remember, you can nominate an athlete from any school sport.