Sun Athletes of the Week: Wendell West and Tenecia Jackson

Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001 | 10:19 a.m.

Male Athlete of the Week: WENDELL WEST

School: Western

Class: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Last week: West, a 6-3 swingman, scored 21 points, including 19 in the second half, to lead the Warriors to a 66-49 victory over Cheyenne in the championship game of the Las Vegas Prep Championship on Friday. West, who scored in double figures in all five Western victories in the tournament, was named the event's Most Valuable Player. "He played exceptionally well," Warriors coach Tony Hopkins said. "Wendell is a fantastic two-guard, he can flat shoot the basketball, and because he's played out of position for so long, he's also got great post player skills. We knew we had a good matchup against Cheyenne, and when they showed us they couldn't guard Wendell, we kept going to him."

Female Athlete of the Week: TENECIA JACKSON

School: Centennial

Class: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Last week: Jackson, the Bulldogs' starting point guard, averaged 10 points, eight assists and four steals while helping Centennial to a 4-0 record and the championship in the Palm Desert (Calif.) Winter Classic. Jackson, who led the Bulldogs to victories over California schools Central California, Palm Desert, Indio and Burroughs, was named the event's Most Valuable Player after scoring seven points, dishing out seven assists and making five steals in the finals. "When we got to the semifinal and final games, she took control of the game," Centennial coach Karen Weitz said. "She knew when it was time to run down the floor and when it was time to slow things down. She really knows what needs to be done out there."