Athlete of the Week: Shaquille Ardrey

The Taconic High School boys basketball team has won four of its last five to pull its record up to 5-5, and no one has contributed moreto the run than junior guard Shaquille Ardrey.

This week, Ardrey scored 19 against Lee and 27 against Hoosac Valley -- both wins for Taconic.

In the Hoosac game, Ardrey scored five points in overtime and set up teammate Trayvon Sims for a 3-pointer that gave Taconic the first points of the extra session and a lead it never surrendered.

In the month of January, Ardrey is averaging 23 points per game. 

"He was steady," Taconic coach Bill Heaphy said of Ardey after the win against Hoosac. "He's another one who likes the pressure, likes the big game or the big moment, I guess. He played pretty steady throughout the game."

Hoosac Valley coach Bill Robinson praised Ardrey and said the combination of him and Sims make Taconic a tough matchup.

"We couldn't guard Ardrey," Robinson said. "They're two tough kids, two tough guards there. And (Tyler) Murphy gives them just enough on the backside to keep you honest on your defense...He's tough to leave, you can't leave him alone.

"They can spread you out, and they have guys who can take you one-on-one. That's how you play this game."

Taconic travels to Great Barrington to face Monument Mountain tonight before a showdown with city rival Pittsfield on Friday night at Taconic.