Vote now for The Daily Advertiser Athlete of the Week (Nov. 17-23)

Another week of high school sports is in the books meaning another opportunity to highlight area athletes is upon us.

Fall sports are wrapping up, winter sports are being ushered in and that made for an action-pack week of prep sports in the 337. Football teams hailing from Lafayette Parish and its surrounding areas stepped one step closer to the Superdome while cross country runners wrapped up a long season.

With so much happening around the area, these six athletes showed up and showed out earning their spot in this week’s Athlete of the Week poll.

Here are the nominations for the athlete of the week for the week of Nov. 17-23, which includes athletes from the following fall sports: football, cross country, swimming and girls basketball. Voting will close at 9 a.m. Friday.

(Athletes listed in alphabetical order)

Brayden Allen, football, Lafayette Christian Academy: Allen was a problem all game long against Parkview Baptist. The four-star wide receiver finished the game with three total touchdowns and over 150 receiving yards. With his help, the Knights beat the Eagles 57-10 to advance to the quarterfinals.

Richard Barrett, cross country, David Thibodaux: Barrett and the Bulldogs fought hard at the 2025 LHSAA Cross Country State Meet. The senior did all he could, finishing the Division II boys three-mile race with a time of 15 minutes and 38.1 seconds taking home first place. The Bulldogs would finish sixth overall.

Bella Bourque, swimming, Episcopal of Acadiana: The Falcons brought home the 2025 LHSAA Division IV state championship this past week and Bourque was a key reason behind their success. The senior took home first pace in the 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard breaststroke. She also was a part of the 200-yard medley and freestyle relay team finished in first place.

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Urijah Carmouche, girls basketball, Southside: In the Sharks’ season opener vs Washington-Marion, Carmouche was locked in. The senior guard showed no signs of rust leading her team in scoring with 18 points along with seven assists, three steals and two rebounds. Southside beat the Charging Indians 56-49.

Blake Delcambre, football, Loreauville: The Tigers were in a dog fight in the second round of playoffs vs. Church Point. Senior quarterback Delcambre stayed locked in leading his team’s offense with four total touchdowns, two passing and two rushing. Loreauville beat the Battlin’ Bears 42-39.

Abigail Leger, cross country, Teurlings Catholic: At the 2025 LHSAA Cross Country State Meet Leger almost beat out every other distance runner in the Division II girls race. The junior finished the three-mile race with a time of 18 minutes and 57.3 seconds, earning her second place. She helped her team finish fourth overall.

Editor's note: Anyone can nominate an athlete of the week for every sport. Nominate next week's ballot through email. Readers can email nominations to sports reporter Shannon Belt at [email protected]. Please include a player's statistics and a photo if possible.

All high school varsity players from Lafayette, Acadiana, St. Landry, St. Martin, Vermilion and Iberia parishes are eligible to be placed on the ballot. Nominations must be received by Monday morning following that week's games for consideration.

Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: It's time to vote for the next Daily Advertiser AOTW (Nov. 17-23)