Welcome to our first weekly installment of The562.org’s Athletes of the Week for this season brought to you by Naples Rib Company, and congrats to our winners. Click SUBSCRIBE up above to support local sports coverage–we can’t survive without your help.
HIGH SCHOOL
Elijah Dolphin, Long Beach Poly Football
World, meet Elijah Dolphin. The Poly defensive lineman had a great summer at various camps but he really burst onto the scene Friday night against Dorsey. He had three sacks, a fumble recovery, an interception and a touchdown, about as good a game as a D-lineman could ask for.
Niles Hibbert, Compton Football
Niles Hibbert and Compton want to finish with a winning record for the first time in almost a decade, and the speedster got his team off on the right food Friday, with a 41-0 win over Compton Centennial. Hibbert was a part of a 300-yard rushing effort and had a 55-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Adonia Faumuina, Long Beach Poly Volleyball
Poly’s freshman class has turned heads already this year, and Adonia Faumuina had a sensational high school debut last week against Harvard-Westlake, a week and a half before she’ll actually start ninth grade. Faumuina had 17 kills on .380 hitting, six digs, and three blocks for the Jackrabbits.
COLLEGE
Imani McDonald, Long Beach State Soccer
The 49ers went 1-1 in their opening week, with a heartbreaking loss to UCLA that came in the final seconds of the game. McDonald followed that up with a clean sheet in Long Beach State’s home opener against SMU, in which she made five saves. She also made seven saves against the Bruins.
