Boise State Game Balls for week of January 24

Another week has passed, and another set of Game Balls to dole out. Which Broncos had some good performances from last week? Let's check it out.

Game Ball One:

Brooke Pahukoa (basketball)

Ho-hum. Another week, another set of awesome performances from the Bronco sharpshooter. While Ms. Pahukoa was only 1-4 from beyond the arc in the UNLV game on January 27th, she was a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line. She led the Broncos with 20 points and also added 4 rebounds, and 2 assists in the 75-56 over UNLV. She then managed to get better on Saturday, January 30th, with a gaudy 7-10 shooting from the three, 8-13 from the field, and 2-3 from the charity stripe. She also added 5 rebounds and an assist to her totals while leading the Broncos over New Mexico 81-60. Pahukoa has been on a tear and only getting better. Congratulations Ms. Pahukoa!

And Ms. Pahukoa nabbed a Mountain West player of the week. Because of course.

Game Ball Two:

Shay Shaw (basketball)

Well the streak had to come to and end at some point. Shooting stars can only burn for so long until they run out of gas. UNLV did what the previous four teams could not: stop Ms. Shaw from getting a double-double. Do not be mistaken, Shaw still got her numbers: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals, and 3 assists in the win over UNLV. That was seven double-doubles out of nine games. Unfortunately the non-double-double streak extended to New Mexico. While the Broncos worked over New Mexico, Shaw had to "settle" for 15 points on 6-9 shooting from the field, 1-3 from three, 8 rebounds, 5 assists. When the Broncos are dominating their opponent, the production from Shaw is not quite as necessary. Still a fantastic thing when Shaw is able to assert her dominance. Shaw is, so far, second in the Mountain West in rebounds with 8.85/game. First place? An impressive 10.32 from Bego Faz Davalos. However to Ms. Shaw goes the Game Ball!

Game Ball Three:

James Webb, III (basketball)

Last week was pretty rough on the Broncos. In short: dropping two winnable games versus UNLV (77-87) and New Mexico (83-85). While the Broncos did not have the best overall outcome, Webb managed to nab another double-double against UNLV. Webb had 14 points on 5-11 from the field, and 4-5 on free throws, he also added 11 rebounds and 2 blocks and steals. The New Mexico game was a struggle as well. Webb managed to nab 13 rebounds, but only had 8 points on 4 free throws and 2-11 from the field. Including a would-be massive dunk that did not turn out so well. Though the Broncos are struggling right now, Webb has been able to keep his head afloat.

Game Ball Four:

Mikey Thompson (basketball)

Mr. Thompson tried to take the Broncos on his back against UNLV. Scoring a team high 19 points, 6-11 from the field, 6-6 from the free throw line, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. However it was not enough to get the Broncos to the point necessary to come away with the win. New Mexico, unfortunately, saw a similar result. Thompson was able to contribute a solid double-double: 17 points and 10 assists (the first time this season that a Bronco had double digits in the assist column). But the effort fell short as the Broncos slumped to a loss. Thank you for your efforts Mr. Thompson. Here is a Game Ball!

Game Ball Five:

Bobbi Oshiro (tennis)

Ms. Oshiro was the only Bronco to win both her singles matches versus Denver, on January 29th, (7-4, 6-7, 6-2) AND her doubles match with fellow Bronco, Arianna Paules Aldrey (6-4). After falling early in the first set, Oshiro was able to come fighting back and take the singles win. Denver managed to win the overall match up versus the Broncos 5-2, but Oshiro wold not be one of those casualties. Congratulations Ms. Oshiro on the Game Ball!

Game Ball Six:

Geordan Martinez (wrestling)

Mr. Martinez continues his roll of just winning. January 29th saw the Broncos, unfortunately, lose to Northern Colorado 22-15 but not from the efforts of Martinez. His pin versus Northern Colorado's Timmy Box at the 149 weight class gave the Broncos a chance to take the dual, but was not enough to come away with the overall win. The win is Mr. Martinez's 10th-straight. Congratulations Mr. Martinez for continuing to be awesome!

Game Ball Seven:

Sandra Collantes (gymnastics)

With a fresh #10 ranking in the nation as a team, the Broncos took on BYU on January 29th. And with that, the Broncos took out the Cougars 196.400 to 195.100 (for those counting at home, that is 16 straight matches the Broncos have won against the Cougars, inching the overall series to 35-25 in favor of the Cougars). Ms. Collantes won the all-around with a score of 39.475 and scored a 9.95 on the floor (tying fellow Bronco Maddie Krentz). Collantes also scored a 9.825 on the beam, which would be a career high. Collantes is only a redshirt sophomore folks. Hopefully another two years of domination of which to look forward. Congratulations!

Ms. Collantes was awarded the MRGC gymnast of the week. Awesome!

Game Ball Eight:

Allie Ostrander (track: distance)

Totes ridic. That is the only way to describe the career, so far, of the diminutive athlete who hails from Alaska. In her first performance of the indoor track year at the UW Invitational, Ms. Ostrander did not disappoint. Ostrander ran the 5,000 meters in 15:21.85, setting a new school, and Mountain West record. And the record-holder before Ostrander? Just someone by the name of Emma Bates (15:50.78). The most comical thing about the win? It took a former Olympian, Kim Conley to beat Ostrander. Ostrander beat the next closest competitor by a full twenty-four seconds. Ostrander's time also qualifies her to run for the Olympic trials. Now that should be an interesting meet to see. For now, we just get to revel in the pure beatdowns that a woman, barely 90 pounds soaking wet, gets to lay down on the field around her. To Ostrander go the Game Balls!!

Game Ball Nine:

Laura Williams (swimming)

Ms. Williams led the way with three individual wins as the Broncos took down Pac-12 foe Oregon State, 150-104. Williams came away with wins in the 200 medley relay and 100 and 200 breaststrokes. Williams won the 100 in 1:05.25 and the 200 with a time of 2:20.74. She also teamed up with Sam Wicks, Britanny Aoyama, and Katelyn Martin for the 200 medley in 1:42.86. The win for the Broncos is number 21 in consecutive home meets. Congratulations Ms. Williams!