Blue Collar Gem
Welcome to our Blue Collar Gem feature! Each week, we showcase outstanding athletes who have demonstrated the true meaning of being a Blue Collar Gem. These players contribute significantly to their team's success through skills such as rebounding, defense, passing, and leadership, even if they may not be the primary scorers. They are valued for their ability to impact the game in multiple ways beyond just scoring.
How It Works:
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Nomination Period: At the beginning of each week, we open the floor for nominations. Coaches, teammates, fans, and sports enthusiasts can nominate deserving players who have shone in recent competitions or demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship.
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Voting: Once the nominations are in, it's time for the community to vote! Visit my Twitter (X) and cast your vote for the player you believe deserves to be crowned Blue Collar Gem. Spread the word on social media to rally support for your favorite athlete.
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Winner Announcement: At the end of the week, the votes are tallied, and the winner is announced. The chosen player receives recognition, a featured story on our website, and, of course, the title of Blue Collar Gem!
All Blue Collar Gem vote polls will be pinned to my Twitter(X)
Nominate a Blue Collar Gem below.
Brody Little
@Brodylittle2027
6’2”, 184lbs, c/o 27
Belfry HS, KY
Brody is an electric rising star that was cookin this week and destrong the Tolsia defense. Explosive off the bounce using crafty athletic moves to punish defenders for fierce finishes at the rim. But he flexed his beautiful touch from outside and scored at will. Brody was a force on the boards and dropped a few dimes fininshing with 37 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists in a 85-62 blowout win over Tolsia.
2027 Guard 6’4 Colton Helton averaged 15.5 ppg and 6 rpg vs top 10 teams in KY in Billy Hicks Classic made the Billy Hicks ALL tournament team.
Keaton Wollan
Colton Helton
@Coltonhelton23
6’4 , c/o 27
Scott County High School|, KY
This dynamic grutty young stud is taking KY by storm in impressive fashion. Colton uses his high non-stop motor to fuel his team well , no matter the stage or the competition on the other side. Colton is a fierce compeitior that that loves to get after it on the boards and dfensively beyond just scoring. The numbers always reflect his energy and impact. This week in the Billy Hicks Classic battling some of the best talent in the state Colton put in that work. Against Lafayette Colton finished with a solid double- double of 19pts and 10reb. Against Fredrick Douglas 17pts and 4 rebs . Colton earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team for his hard work.
Nymir Bryant
@Ny_mir6
6’6, 188 lbs, c/o 27
Huntington, WV
Nymir was a imposing blue collar stud that flexed his size and strength in a game that must be noted. Another reason i have this award is for those kids that dont score 40 but dominate and impact the game in other ways. In a toiugh loss to Champmanville, this young star right here did some heavy lifting finishing with 22PTS, 22REBs , and 1 BLK. Thats not a typo folks.
Lucas morris
@Lucasmorris1313
6’2, 195lbs, c/o 25
Sycamore HS, TN
Lucus is gritty blue color stud that is always in attack mode. Lucasis relentless getting to rim for high percentage baskets even though he is quite capable of knocking down the three and the mid-range. LUcas is always looking for open teammates and drops dimes like candy. Lucas is a beast on the boards and savvy defender who anticipates the pass and jumps the passing lanes quickly. In a nice win over Cheatham Lucas finished with 9 pts, 9 ast, and 13 rbs.
https://x.com/Lucasmorris1313/status/1868368438642532751
Landon McKinney
@Landonmckinney_
6’2 ,180lbs, c/o 25
Birmingham Groves High School, MI
Landon is the ultimate floor general that thrives on being a master facilator focused on team first wins. The ultimate glue guy that impacts games with all the intagibles a coach should love from the PG position. High IQ, good court vision , amd known for making game winning plays . In a big win over #7 Wayne Memorial Landon was a stat sheet stuffer with 10 points, 7 assists ,and 5 rebounds.
https://x.com/Landonmckinney_/status/1868319347610972269
Anden Santamaria
@andensanta33
6’8 ,185lbs, c/o 26
Musselman High School, WV
Anden is a classic old school big with incredibloe footwork and a full bag of crafty moves to get high percentage easy buckets . Anden is strong force on the boards as well. A blue collar workhourse that understands exactly what it takes for him to help his team get that DUB! in a monster match-up against Parkersburg| in a 61-47 win Anden finished with 19 points, and 14 rebounds| while helping his team Improve to 2-0.
https://x.com/andensanta33/status/1868160000172159037
Keaton Wollan
@keaton_wollan
6’3, 195lbs, c/o 27
Amery HS, WI
Kedton is gritty tough playmaker who always finds a way to be a huge impact in games. Keaton is a three level scorer, a firece rebounder and defnder that brings intensity and energy every game. In a big confrence game against Baldwin-Woodville put in the work in impressive double-double fashion in a 91-65 win. Keaton finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds , and 6 assists while shooting 7/14 fg. The WI masher flexed in this one nicely. This was following another double-double against Colfax finishing with 19 pts ,12 rbs , 8 ast , and 2 stl while shooting 9/19 fg and 1/2 3pt. The WI Masher has helped his team to a 4-0 record.
https://x.com/keaton_wollan/status/1867039702425186718
Elijah Gilroy
@ElijahGilroy15
5’10, 140lbs|, c/o 26
SFA Academy, FL
Elijah was that impact player in a big game against IMG where his effort and engery were the perfect fuel. Elijiah made tough shots, did the little things that helped his team. Assists, rebounding and defense. Elijah finished with 12pts, 3ast, 5reb , and 2stls.
https://x.com/ElijahGilroy15/status/1868297390651818058