The Tennessean this week conducted an online poll through Thursday, February 2, to determine the “Tennessean Boys & Girls Athlete of the Week” for the period of January 23-28.

DCHS Tiger Conner Close was among ten boys mid-state high school basketball players on the poll. The votes are now in and Close is the winner! Father Ryan’s Izzy Gavigan was the girls’ top vote-getter.

Close captured 24,659 votes to take home 46.3% of the boys overall total (53,167). He beat out Santa Fe’s Auden Slaughter who had 50 points in a game last week. Slaughter finished second in voting with 17,022 votes while Zion Christian’s Ayden Glenn finished third with 9,653 votes.

Close was nominated for the honor after scoring 29 points in the Tigers’ 73 to 61 upset win over Livingston Academy in Smithville on Friday, January 27.

Other mid-state high school boy athletes nominated for the honor were Lebanon’s Jarred Hall, Jackson County’s Kendrick Brown, Clarksville’s Jamar Carnell, Middle Tennessee Christian’s Devin Hill, Clarksville Academy’s Eddie Ricks III, Hillwood’s Calvin Goliday, and Davidson Academy’s Lorenzo McMillion.

Gavigan’s 3,921 votes was enough to take the top spot with 71.1% of the girls total (5,515). She beat out Columbia Academy’s Madi Lewis (1,431) and Nolensville’s Emily Hunter (68). Gavigan scored 24 points in a win over Harpeth Hall last week.