Vote for Journal Star boys athlete of the week for Dec. 15-20, presented by CEFCU

After plenty of solid winter sports performers over the last week, here are the Journal Star high school boys athlete of the week nominees for Dec. 15-20.

Head to pjstar.com/sports to vote. The poll closes at noon Friday. Information about the nominees is below.

If you have a nominee for the honor, email us at [email protected] or tag us on Twitter @pjstarsports. Last week, Briggs Bucy of the Metamora boys basketball team was named JS boys athlete of the week.

Griffin White, Illini Bluffs basketball

The junior guided the Tigers to a 3-0 week, extending their win streak to four in a row. White capped his week Saturday by earning game MVP honors with 17 points to beat Taylor Ridge Rockridge at Abingdon's Great Western Shootout. He scored 20 of his game-high 28 points in the second half on Friday to beat visiting Lewistown, 41-39. White's week started last Tuesday with a 19-point effort for a 54-25 road win over Greenview.

Griffin White. 28 point game. Won 41 to 39. pic.twitter.com/uChTWkG6CQ

— Ben (@Ben97127837) December 20, 2025

Lakon Otto, Canton basketball

The senior helped the Little Giants to a 2-1 week highlighted by a statement Mid-Illini Conference win. Otto scored a game-high 27 points as host Canton beat Mid-Illini foe Metamora 56-51 at Alice Ingersoll Gymnasium last Tuesday. He followed up that performance with 17 points on Friday in a 45-41 victory over Dunlap. His week wrapped up on Saturday by scoring 14 points, but Mount Sterling Brown County beat the Little Giants, 50-40 at the Great Western Shootout in Abingdon.

@LittleGiantsBB win at home vs. Metamora! Big time conference win fellas! Lakon Otto finishes with a game high 27 points to lead all scorers. #LittleGiantspic.twitter.com/h9RQcMvWYu

— Canton Little Giants Activities (@CantonActivity) December 17, 2025

Jayden Schmick, Dunlap wrestling

The junior cruised to a tournament title on Saturday. Schmick won all three of his matches, claiming the 165-pound championship at the Metamora Holiday Classic. In the title bout, he won an 11-5 decision over David Rueth of Geneva. Schmick advanced to the championship match thanks to a 15-5 major decision over St. Joseph-Ogden's Alex Vaughn in the semifinals.

Trey Olt, Pekin co-op swimming and diving

The senior picked up a diving victory last week. In last Tuesday's quad meet at Normal West, Olt emerged as the lone winner. He scored a 217.35 points to win the 1-meter diving. That victory helped Dragons (125 points) take third place in the team standings behind winner Normal Community (194) and the hosts (129).

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Vote in poll for Journal Star boys athlete of the week, presented by CEFCU