Bay Area News Group High School Boys Athlete of the Week: Jacob Kuverji, Leland’s basketball player.

In a very close vote, Leland’s basketball player Jacob Kuverji was named Bay Area News Group’s Boys’ Athlete of the Week from January 10-16 after finishing first in the poll.

When voting ended at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, Cuvergi had 7,327 votes (45.67%) to narrowly beat Mission San Jose footballer Noel Estrada (7,080 votes, 44.13%).

Third was Branham footballer Ian Hutt.

Congratulations to all candidates for this week’s recognition.

Kuvergi scored 21 points to lead Leland to a 67-63 overtime win over Lee in the Blossom Valley Athletic League decider at Mount Hamilton. The result improved the Chargers’ record to 14-0 overall and 2-0 in the league.

Earlier this week, Kuvergi, the senior, scored 15 points in a 65-41 rout of the Piedmont Hills.

To nominate an athlete for next week’s awards, email highschools@bayareanewsgroup.com by 11:00 am Monday, January 24th.

We also review statistics submitted to MaxPreps.com by team coaches/statisticians for review.

Winners are announced every Friday on the Mercury News and East Bay Times websites.

Past winners

January 3–9: Marlow Buettner, Berkeley Football Club

December 13–19: Derek Sangster, Basketball Archbishop Mitty

dec. 6:12: Petelo Guy, Serra football

November 29 – Dec. 5: Roland Legazpi, Piedmont Hills football

New. 22-28: Ivan Nisa, Aragon Football

November 15-21: Guardian Harper, Benicia football

November 8-14: Carsten Pieters, De La Salle water polo

1–7 Nov: John Pelletier, Northgate Football

Oct 25-31: Nate Escalada, Bellarmine Football

October 18-24: Patrick Aiello, Heritage water polo.

Oct 11-17: Liam Smith, Hillsdale Football

Oct 4-10: Jayden Hall Cupertino Football