VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State junior women's basketball guard Erin Whalen and senior men's basketball guard Peter McKey were named Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athletes of the Week.  
 
This marks the fourth honor of the season for Whalen and third for Mills.  Whalen, a native of Cumming, Ga., started both games last week, including a win at Christian Brothers.  She recorded two double-doubles, giving her seven double-doubles in her last eight games. 
 
Whalen averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds, 3.5 steal, and 2.0 assists, while shooting an even 50 percent from the field on the week.  She scored 15 points and grabbed four steals along with ten rebounds at Union and then followed with 17 points and ten rebounds along with three steals in the win at CBU.
 
McKey, a native of Houston, Texas, helped lead the Blazers to two road league victories last week.  He averaged 19 points per game, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists for the week.  In an overtime thriller versus Union last Thursday, McKey finished the game with 21 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist on 9 of 17 shooting from the floor. Two days later in a win at Christian Brothers, McKey led the team in scoring with 17 points on 7-11 shooting, knocking down three treys, while also contributing four rebounds and six assists. 
 
The Blazers and Lady Blazers host Montevallo on Thursday at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at The Complex and then host Auburn Montgomery at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athletes of the Week
Oct. 20, 2025 – Eimy Negron Domenech (Volleyball) / Elad Sebbag (Men's Golf)
Oct. 27, 2025 – Kaitlyn Scherer (Women's Soccer) / Mark Robinson (Football)
Nov. 3, 2025 – Taylor Youmans (Women's Soccer) / Council Allen (Football)
Nov. 10, 2025 – Eimy Negron Domenech (Volleyball) / Corey Reddick, Jr. (Football)
Nov. 17, 2025 – Erin Whalen (Women's Basketball) / Matt Rolader (Football)
Nov. 24, 2025 – Aryana Hicks (Women's Basketball) / Blaise Wallace (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 1, 2025 – Aryana Hicks (Women's Basketball) / MJ Jones (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 8, 2025 – Alina Martin (Women's Basketball) / Samarion Bond (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 16, 2025 – Amaya Broadus (Women's Basketball) / Drew Mills (Men's Basketball)
Dec 22, 2025 –  Erin Whalen (Women's Basketball) / Drew Mills (Men's Basketball)
Jan. 5, 2026 – Erin Whalen (Women's Basketball) / Lucas Brown Jr. (Men's Basketball)
Jan. 12, 2026 – Erin Whalen (Women's Basketball) / Peter McKey (Men's Basketball)