General | 1/12/2026 2:43:25 PM
OXFORD, Ohio - The River States Conference is pleased to announce the Player of the Week honorees for the past week.
All awards represent contests played from Monday, January 5 through Sunday, January 11.
Men's Basketball Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
Markell Hood, Kentucky Christian | Sr. - Guard - Overland Park, Kansas
Hood had a career game on Tuesday, leading Kentucky Christian to a victory over WVU Tech. The senior guard poured in 47 points, making 18 of his 23 shots, in a 108-82 victory. He also added 19 points on Saturday against IU Kokomo, finishing the week with 33 points per game on 67.6 percent shooting.
Defensive Player of the Week
Lohan DJ Biatcha, Oakland City | Jr. - Center - Yaoundé, Cameroon
Oakland City's center continued his dominance on the glass and in defense of the rim. In games against IU Kokomo and IU East, the junior logged eight rebounds and four blocked shots per game, including a 12-rebound, six block effort in a win over IU East. He also affected numerous shots around the rim to lead Oakland City's defensive efforts.
Women's Basketball Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
Peyton Wells, IU East | Sr. - Guard - Kettering, Ohio
Wells scored 25 points in back-to-back games for the Red Wolves, playing 79 of 80 minutes in games against Midway and Oakland City. The senior guard also averaged 9.5 rebounds per week, including 11 rebounds for a double-double in a Saturday victory over Oakland City.
Defensive Player of the Week
Sophia Kline, Rio Grande | Jr. - Forward - Sugar Grove, Ohio
Kline continued to be one of the nation's most dominant post players. The junior forward averaged 15 points, 13 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks in Rio Grande's wins over Shawnee State and IU Southeast. Kline's signature performance came in the RSC Game of the Week against Shawnee State, where she nearly posted a triple-double of 10 points, 18 rebounds, and seven blocks.
Indoor Track Athletes of the Week
Male Track Athlete of the Week
Kasy Science, Rio Grande | Jr. - Marietta, Ohio
Science started 2026 with a victory in the 1000 meters at the Marshall Alumni Invitational. The junior ran the 1000 meters in 2:31.58, setting a new meet record to earn the gold medal. Science currently ranks just outside the top 15 nationally in the event.
Male Field Athlete of the Week
Gabe Wedmore, IU Kokomo | Sr. - Summitville, Indiana
Senior thrower Gabe Wedmore punched his ticket to the 2026 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships in shot put with a "B" standard throw of 16.69 meters, just two centimeters from an "A" standard. Wedmore is currently first in the conference and third in the nation.
Female Track Athlete of the Week
Kylie Montgomery, Rio Grande | So. - Coal Grove, Ohio
Kylie Montgomery was the top NAIA athlete in the 400 meters at the Marshall Invitational, claiming silver medal honors. The sophomore, who currently ranks tops in the RSC in the 400 meters, ran the race in 59.84 seconds, placing second of the 15 runners in attendance.
Female Field Athlete of the Week
Mia Bustos, IU Kokomo | Fr. - Upland, Indiana
Freshman thrower Mia Bustos impressed over the weekend at the East Coast Throws Festival, winning the college shot put event with a throw of 12.4 meters for her first collegiate victory, a throw that ranks her second in the conference behind teammate Faith Rock.