VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State senior Carlos Hart and graduate student JC Clausi have been named Steel's Jewelry Athletes of the Week. This is Hart's first honor and Clausi's second in consecutive weeks. 

Following two more road victories, the Valdosta State men's basketball team have grown their winning streak to nine. In addition, the Blazers have jumped to No. 11 in the most recent NABC after previously being ranked 18 last week with wins over Montevallo and Auburn Montgomery. 

Valdosta State senior Carlos Hart was a menace on both the defensive and offensive end this past weekend in two big Blazer victories over Montevallo and Auburn Montgomery on the road. The Miami, Fla. native averaged 17 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.5 APG, 2.0 SPG, and 2.0 BPG. The University of New Orleans transfer swatted a season high three blocks in Saturday's win at Auburn Montgomery. For the weekend, Hart was 8-16 from the floor, 1-3 from distance, and 17-22 from the free throw line for a .773 clip in 26.1 MPG.

For Clausi, the guard from Franklin, Tenn. shot a red-hot 10-14 (.714) from the floor and 9-13 (.692) from deep as he propelled the Blazer bench. Clausi averaged 15.5 points over the weekend while chipping in an assist and two boards in just a total of 34 minutes of action.