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Athletes of the week

By Star Tribune, 12/12/11, 9:35PM CST

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Splichal fits in at North St. Paul


George splichal

GEORGE SPLICHAL

North St. Paul, hockey

As a sophomore two years ago, Splichal was one of the few youngsters to see playing time for the powerful Hill-Murray Pioneers.

But despite playing for such a storied program, Splichal never felt comfortable.

"Hill-Murray just wasn't a good fit for me," he said. "So I went to North St. Paul instead. It was my choice to leave, and I'm pretty happy here right now."

No wonder.

Splichal, a forward who considers himself a pass-first kind of player, is enjoying a run of goal-scoring success.

Last week he scored five goals and added six assists as the Polars won three times to improve their record to 5-0. Splichal's 11 goals this season tie him for the most goals by any player in the metro and are only one the 12 he scored last year.

"I'm usually the type of player who likes to set up his teammates, but now I realize that when I get the chance to score, I've go to take it," he said.

Individual honors are nice, Splichal said, but he's more pleased with the Polars' strong start.

"We knew we would have a pretty good team this year so the team worked hard [in the offseason] to try to make the most of it," he said. "It's been a total team effort and so far, everything is working out."

LASHAY HOLT

St. Paul Humboldt, basketball

The Hawks won twice thanks to back-to-back double-doubles by the junior forward. She had 24 points and 13 rebounds in a victory over Heritage Christian Academy and 28 and 19 in beating New Life Academy of Woodbury.

JOEY KING

Eastview, basketball

So far, the 6-9 senior forward is doing exactly what was expected of him. In victories over three ranked teams, including beating Class 3A, No. 1 Benilde-St. Margaret's on Saturday, King has scored 96 points.

SYDNEY LAMBERTY

Park of Cottage Grove, basketball

The Wolfpack won twice behind the sophomore point guard. She had 27 points and six rebounds in a victory over Apple Valley and 24 points and 10 rebounds as they beat intra-district rival Woodbury.

GERALD MCCARVER

Minnehaha Academy, basketball

The junior point guard led the Redhawks in nearly every offensive category last week. He averaged 30 points, 7 assists, 6.7 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game in three victories.

SAMANTHA SCOBEE

Mound-Westonka, hockey

The senior goalie was the reason why the White Hawks won their first eight games before falling to Irondale on Saturday. In nine games, she has a .944 save percentage and has allowed more than one goal only three times.

MARCUS TYUS

Anoka, basketball

The "other" Tyus in the metro has is making name for himself in the northwest surburbs. He scored 99 points as the Tornadoes beat St. Francis 87-53 and Armstrong 79-64 and fell to Rogers 75-69.

JIM PAULSEN

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