Week 4 winter prep athlete of the week: Cherita Daugherty, Prairie basketball

Cherita Daugherty of Prairie girls basketball was voted The Columbian’s high school winter athlete of the week, sponsored by Athletes Corner, for the two-week period ending Jan. 4.

In the closest vote since The Columbian begin athlete-of-the week voting, Daugherty collected 36.9 percent of the 1,491 votes cast by fans to beat out Alan Haagen of Hockinson boys basketball, who had 36.8 percent. The margin of victory was two votes.

Daugherty averaged 14 points a game and was selected the MVP of the Surf Division of the Surf ‘N Slam Tournament in San Diego. She then added 19 points in a win over Union.

The other nominees were Cody Gromes of Union boys wrestling, Cailee Martin of Ridgefield girls wrestling and Lindsey Willis of Prairie gymnastics.

Nominees and the online ballot are posted at www.360preps.com each Monday and voting continues until 8 p.m. Thursday.

Athletes may be elected athlete of the week once during the regular season, and no athlete can be nominated for the honor in consecutive weeks.