Charlotte Observer athletes of the week from Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Stanly counties

After nearly 125,000 votes were cast, here are the Charlotte Observer’s high school athletes of the week:

▪ Jaiden Thompson, Central Cabarrus Basketball: The 6-foot junior guard averaged 22.7 points and six rebounds per game as Central Cabarrus beat A.L. Brown, Concord and Lake Norman Charter last week.

Thompson had 22 points, seven rebounds and three steals in an 85-43 win at Lake Norman Charter Dec. 7. The next night, he posted 15 points and four rebounds in an 81-41 victory over A.L. Brown. Thompson also had 28 points and seven boards in an 80-50 win at Concord, Dec. 10.

Through the start of this week’s games, Thompson was averaging 20.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.7 steals.

Shalyn Bell, North Stanly Basketball: The 6-foot freshman had a quadruple-double with 16 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists and 12 blocks to lead North Stanly to a 59-46 win over Montgomery Central Dec. 7.

Bell also had 19 points, 14 rebounds and nine steals in a 62-42 win at Jay M. Robinson Dec. 10.

Through the start of this weeks’ games, Bell was averaging 16 points, 12 rebounds, and seven steals.

Akala Garrett, Harding Indoor Track: The Rams’ junior is off to a fast start to her indoor track season. She has the nation’s No. 1 time in the 55-meter hurdles (7.92), 60-meter hurdles (8.39), and 500-meter dash (1:14.03), while running the third-best time in the nation in the 300-meter dash (39.05).

Garrett won the 300 (39.05) and 500-meter (1:14.03) dashes at the Liberty High School Opener at Liberty University with personal-best times in both events, Dec. 11.

Garrett has run the No. 1 time in the state in the 55 and 60-meter hurdles, and 300 and 500-meter dashes.