WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Jan. 24) – Congratulations go out to a pair of junior basketball standouts who helped lead their respective teams to 1-1 records this past week. For their efforts, the third-year hoopsters were honored as the latest Waynesburg Athletes of the Week.
 
Junior forward Paige Pearce and junior point guard Ben Altmeyer snagged this week's awards after putting up big numbers against their Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) rivals from Washington & Jefferson. Thanks in large part to their efforts, the Jacket women slipped past the Presidents 47-43, while the men powered past W&J 69-57. Unfortunately, both squads fell at Thiel to close out the week.
 
Pearce showcased her entire repertoire as an interior player for the Yellow Jackets this past week. Not only did she average 10.5 points per game, but she also ripped down a team-best 12.0 rebounds per contest and averaged four blocks per game. The junior showcased a blue collar effort at W&J by setting personal bests in rebounds (17) and blocks (7), while also scoring six points and swiping two steals. Pearce showcased a bigger scoring touch at Thiel by piling up 15 points and pulling down seven rebounds. 
 
The Waynesburg men's win over W&J was a particularly rewarding one for Altmeyer. After missing all of last year and most of this season with injuries, Altmeyer not only made his first start in two years, but exploded for game highs in points (25), steals (two) and assists (three), while also ripping down a team-high five rebounds. The Pittsburgh native shot nine-of-14 from the floor, including six-for-eight from beyond three-point arc. Though he couldn't replicate those numbers against Thiel, Altmeyer ended up averaging a team-high 15.0 ppg, 2.5 apg, 1.0 spg and 4.0 rpg.
 
Both the Waynesburg men's and women's hoops teams are back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 25, when the Jackets tangle with Westminster in New Wilmington. Starting time for the doubleheader is scheduled for 6 p.m.