POPLARVILLE, Miss. — It was another memorable week on the basketball court for Pearl River's Taylor Johnson-Matthews (Cleveland, Ohio; Charles F. Brush) and Ta'Zir Smith (Woodbridge, Va.; Virginia Academy), and the pair have been named Wildcats of the Week.

TAYLOR JOHNSON-MATTHEWS
Johnson-Matthews has been electric all season long for the Wildcats, and last week was no different. She averaged 23.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and one block over victories over Coahoma and East Central. In total, she had 47 points, 13 rebounds, three steals, two blocks and two assists.

Through 17 games, Johnson-Matthews leads the Wildcats in points per game (17.4), rebounds per game (5.4) and steals per game (2.5).

TA'ZIR SMITH
Smith has been incredible since returning to action for Pearl River and had another big week against Coahoma and East Central. He averaged 26 points, eight rebounds and 2.5 steals while playing 33 minutes per game. For the week, he had 52 points, 16 rebounds, five steals, three assists and two blocks.

Smith has featured in just eight games this season but has made it count, averaging 20.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and three steals.

NEXT UP
The Wildcats return home Monday for a 5:30/7:30 p.m. doubleheader against Hinds. Both teams hit the road Thursday to take on Itawamba. Game times are 5:30/7:30 p.m.

PREVIOUS WINNERS
Aug. 21: Frederikke Nielsen (women's soccer) and Christopher Dommer (men's soccer)
Aug. 28: Sammie Smith (volleyball) and Barrett Breazeale (men's soccer)
Sept. 11: Jolee Gibson (volleyball) and Jordan Watts (football) 
Sept. 18: Celine Grothe (women's soccer) and Tyree Jackson (football)
Sept. 25: Sammie Smith (volleyball) and Christopher Dommer (men's soccer)
Oct. 2: Kate Eiland (rodeo) and Ian Graham (men's soccer)
Oct. 9: Karrigan Cagley (rodeo) and Kristoff Graham (men's soccer)
Oct. 16: Natalie Bartholomew (volleyball) and Kam Norwood (football)
Oct. 23: Ann Maris Ragan (women's soccer) and Tiago Honorio Jr. (men's soccer)
Oct. 30: Jolee Gibson (volleyball) and Kayvon Barnes (football)
Nov. 6: Celine Grothe (women's soccer) and Aden Smith (men's soccer)
Nov. 13: Mikayla Riley (women's basketball) and Austin Green (men's basketball)
Nov. 20: Taylor Johnson-Matthews (women's basketball) and Ezereke Dawson Jr. (men's basketball)
Nov. 27: Thanksgiving break
Dec. 4: Taylor Johnson-Matthews (women's basketball) and Ta'Zir Smith (men's basketball)
Jan. 8: Marley Freeman (women's basketball) and Ta'Zir Smith (men's basketball)
Jan. 16: Mikayla Riley (women's basketball) and Tye Gholar (men's basketball)
Jan. 22: Brooklyn Anderson (women's basketball) and Austin Green (men's basketball)

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