Dutch Fork’s Jon Hunt and Gilbert’s Ahleira Leaphart have won this week’s Athlete of the Week honors after major performances pushed their teams to victories. 

Voting for Athlete of the Week runs from 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Monday each week at lexingtonchronicle.com/athleteoftheweek.

Jon Hunt

Quarterback Jon Hunt put his body on the line in Dutch Fork’s 5A state championship win over White Knoll. 

He completed 13 of 20 passes for 135 yards, and his contributions in the run game proved to be a difference-maker for the Silver Foxes. He ran in two touchdowns and made smart decisions on when to scramble out of the pocket, picking up an additional 23 yards. 

The title game was Hunt’s first start since injuring his hamstring in the team’s opening-round contest. He has battled multiple injuries this season including a broken collarbone in week one and splitting his hand in the final minutes of the championship game. That injury did not stop him from lifting the trophy with his team. 

Ahleira Leaphart

Gilbert girls basketball player Ahleira Leaphart has balled out to start the season. She is averaging 18 points, five rebounds and six steals per game through five contests. 

The Indians went 2-1 last week, and those two wins were spearheaded by big performances from Leaphart. 

She recorded 23 points, four rebounds, four assists and five steals in a win over Ridge Spring-Monetta on Nov. 29. She followed that up with a 31-point, eight-rebound and 11-steal performance on Dec. 1 in the team’s second win over Columbia this season. 

Leaphart and Gilbert will play three games this week, all at home. The Indians host Ridge Spring-Monetta on Tuesday, Pelion on Thursday and Batesburg-Leesville on Friday.