Patricia Mike Wins NWAC Athlete of the Week

SALEM, OR – While most people were preparing to ring in the New Year with resolutions and celebrations, Chemeketa freshman guard Patricia Mike was busy turning the Northwest Athletic Conference on its head.

Following a spectacular three-game stretch from December 29th to 31st, the NWAC announced today that the Keizer native and McNary High School alumna has been named the NWAC Women's Basketball Athlete of the Week.

The honor comes on the heels of a relentless offensive display where Mike averaged 20 points, 3.3 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game. Her performance was more than just a stat-sheet filler; it was a testament to her durability and "clutch" gene, as she averaged nearly 36 minutes per contest during the grueling holiday schedule.

The Breakdown: A New Year's Eve to Remember

The week began on December 29th against a tough Peninsula squad. Despite a narrow 57-52 loss, Mike was the engine for the Storm, putting up 20 points on 7-of-16 shooting and providing a defensive spark with two steals.

The Storm didn't stay down for long. On December 30th, Mike led Chemeketa to a bounce-back 60-47 victory over Whatcom. She poured in 18 points, connecting on four shots from beyond the arc, proving that her range is just as lethal as her ability to drive to the hoop.

However, the "pièce de résistance" came on New Year's Eve against Columbia Basin. In a high-stakes battle that required extra time, Mike refused to let her team falter. Playing 42 of a possible 45 minutes, she dropped a week-high 22 points. Most impressively, she was a perfect 12-for-12 from the charity stripe—including six crucial points in the overtime period to seal the 72-66 victory.

Ice in Her Veins

Beyond the scoring, Mike's efficiency from the free-throw line was the story of the week. She finished the three-game stretch going a staggering 18-for-20 (.900) from the line. When the game slows down and the pressure rises, Mike has proven to be the most reliable hand in the conference.

Currently a freshman, Patricia Mike has wasted no time making her mark on the NWAC. Her ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor has propelled Chemeketa into the thick of the South Region conversation.

If this final week of December was any indication, the rest of the 2025-26 season is going to be a very long winter for opposing defenses.

Week Stats at a Glance:

• Dec 29 vs Peninsula: 20 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL

• Dec 30 vs Whatcom: 18 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 4 3PTM

• Dec 31 vs Columbia Basin: 22 PTS, 5 AST, 5 STL, 12-12 FT

Photo Credit: The Athlete Studio     Instagram: @TheAthlete_Studio