Patch Athlete of the Week, Nov. 21- Nov. 27:

Erin Purdy is this week's Patch Athlete of the Week. Garnering about 56 percent of the vote, Purdy topped a deep field that included local basketball and football players. There were nearly 10,000 votes, but Purdy's state championship win in diving gave her the edge and made her this week's winner.

See last week's nominees

HONORABLE MENTION

Dashae Shumate, sophomore, basketball forward, Niles West – The dynamic sophomore forward scored a season-high 22 points in Niles West’s 73-57 victory over defending state runner-up Zion Benton in the Deerfield Thanksgiving Challenge on Nov. 21. Shumate scored 10 points in the fourth quarter and should be a second scoring option to Jewell Loyd for Niles West.

Connor Boehm, senior, basketball center, New Trier – Boehm had a big opening week for the Trevians, who went 4-0 to start the season. The senior center, who has committed to play basketball at Dartmouth scored 29 points against Lincoln Park and had another 16 points against Loyola in the New Trier / Loyola Thanksgiving Tournament. The Trevians would go on to win the championship with a victory over St. Ignatius.

Luke Ford, junior, football defensive back, Loyola Academy – Ford led the Loyola defense with 12 tackles and a fourth-quarter interception in the Ramblers’ 21-17 loss to Bolingbrook in the IHSA Class 8A state championship game. The Ramblers finished at 13-1 on the season, setting a program record with wins and reaching the state title game for the first time since 1993.

Ford also finished in second place during last week's Patch Athlete of the Week, capturing almost 5,000 votes.

Kurt Karis, junior, basketball point guard, Glenbrook North – Karis was named the MVP of the Billy Schnurr Basketball Tournament at Niles West last weekend after leading the Spartans to the tournament championship. Karis had 19 points in the Spartans’ 67-39 win over Hersey and chipped in eight when Glenbrook North defeated Niles West 55-39 for the title on Nov. 26.

Like to Nominate Your Athlete Next Week? Email nominations to Sports Reporter Ross Jacobson (rjacobson2010@gmail.com). Nominations must be received by noon on Sunday for consideration. E-mails must include a picture of the athlete and detailed information (links to other media coverage are welcome) on why he or she is a deserving candidate for the weekly award. Weekly winners are eligible for Patch Athlete of the Month recognition.

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