Region action is starting to heat up around Lexington County, which means teams will lean on their stars as the fight for playoff positioning nears an end. 

This week’s Athlete of the Week winners helped their teams pick up clutch region wins to help their position in the standings. With just a few weeks of season left, every win matters. 

Voting for Athlete of the Week runs from 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Monday each week at lexingtonchronicle.com/athleteoftheweek. To submit a nominee for consideration email a photo and short bio to sports@lexingtonchonicle.com 

Cooper James

Gilbert’s Cooper James came up big for the Indians in their win over Brookland-Cayce, throwing six touchdown passes.

The Indians offense was on fire as they snuck out of Brookland-Cayce with a 50-49 win. James led the offense to points on every drive but one and found his receivers for the go-ahead touchdown and two-point conversion late. 

James finished the game 14 of 19 for 242 yards to help the Indians improve to 2-1 in 4A Region 4 play. Gilbert has four region games left before its final game on Nov. 6, including two this week. The team hosted South Aiken Tuesday after the Chronicle’s press deadline and will travel to Airport Saturday. 

Jasia Brunson

Jasia Brunson helped the Lexington Volleyball team clinch the 5A Region 4 title after beating River Bluff for the second time this season three sets to one. 

Brunson finished the contest with 20 kills, 10 digs and five aces. She finished with a 47 percent kill percentage and a 28 percent ace percentage. 

The senior has had two of her biggest games this season against the Gators. In the most recent win, she set a new season-high in kills, surpassing the 17 she recorded against the Gators in the first match. 

The Wildcats are undefeated in region play, sitting at 9-0 with one game left, which is scheduled for this week. A win over White Knoll Thursday would secure the team its second undefeated region season in a row. Brunson was a key part of last year’s group too.