Each week, our HomeTeam staffers will nominate male and female Hot Shot athletes from each of the counties we cover, then we turn the voting over to our readers. These nominations span Saturday, Nov. 9 through Friday, Nov. 15. The winners get a free T-shirt and bragging rights over every other school in the area. Read up on what made our nominees stand out, then vote until noon Monday. (Note: If the poll is tampered with, votes will be thrown out and the staff will pick the winners.)
Female nominees
Rachel Briere, Steinbrenner basketball: The forward was her team’s leading scorer in all three wins this week, including 19 points in the Warriors' 32-26 win over Wiregrass Ranch on Friday, despite spending time on the bench after accruing three fouls early. The Warriors are 6-0 to start the season.
Kayla Kivinski, Gulf basketball: The senior wasn't expected to play against Tarpon Springs after sustaining a severe ankle sprain against Hudson. Wearing tape and limited in lateral movements, Kivinski had her best performance of the season, with 20 points, three blocks and five assists in leading the Bucs to a 45-43 win.
Leah Neck, Fivay soccer: The sophomore, who also runs track at Fivay, has made a habit of surging ahead of the field to score against unsuspecting keepers. Neck had two goals against Nature Coast to help the Falcons to a 3-0 shutout and has nine goals already this season.
Cristina Snyder, Holy Names basketball: The guard had a team-leading 26 points in the Jaguars' 51-23 win against Tampa Prep on Wednesday. Last season, Snyder averaged fewer than 5.5 points per game.
Meagan Thomas, Dixie Hollins basketball: The senior scored 26 points on Thursday to help the Rebels to a 50-46 win over Boca Ciega. Heading into the Thanksgiving break, Dixie is 3-1 and Thomas is averaging 22 points per game.
Michelle Turek, East Lake swimming: At last week's Class 4A state meet, she finished as the runnerup in the 100 free (51.41) and 200 free (1:49.18). She also swam anchor legs on the winning 200 medley (1:47.03) and 400 free relays (3:27.56). That helped the Eagles place second overall, the highest finish in school history.
Male nominees
Devin Abraham, East Lake football: The senior defensive back made a fourth-down tackle at his team's 1-yard line to prevent a touchdown, then scored two of his own on a 56-yard fumble return and on a punt that he blocked to lead the Eagles to a 45-0 win over Pinellas Park in the Class 7A region semifinals.
TJ Harrell, Tampa Catholic football: The running back and safety had three touchdowns in the Crusaders’ 45-10 win against Melbourne Central Catholic, including a 36-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Alex Jackson, Plant football: The wide receiver had both Panthers' touchdowns in regulation, including the tying 8-yard score to send Plant and Dr. Phillips to overtime. He also had a 44-yard touchdown in the second quarter and finished with 101 rushing yards.
Damian King, Indian Rocks Christian football: King played a big role in helping the Golden Eagles advance to the Class 2A state semifinals for the first time. He scored three touchdowns in a 28-14 win over Naples First Baptist, on runs of 12 and 14 yards, and a 30-yard touchdown reception.
Lawrence Watt, Mitchell basketball: Watt helped the Mustangs to decisive victories against Zephyrhills and Fivay. Not only was the junior among the team leaders in scoring in both, but his accuracy was on point; he was a combined 10 of 11 from the free-throw line.
Daniel Wright, Springstead football: The junior more than bounced back after being carried off the field on a stretcher in last week's playoff game against Citrus. Wright rushed for 159 yards and scored two of the Eagles' four touchdowns that sealed their region semifinal victory against Gainesville.