Bay Area News Group girls athlete of the week: Tali Fa’i, Newark Memorial basketball

Newark Memorial basketball player Tali Fa’i has been named the Bay Area News Group’s girls high school athlete of the week for Jan. 2-7 after she had received 41% of the vote at the deadline Wednesday afternoon.

Mountain View soccer player Laila Edris (37.76%) placed second and Menlo School basketball player Karen Xin was third.

Congratulations to all the candidates for this week’s recognition.

Fa’i averaged 18 points and nine rebounds in three games at the Newark Optimist Club holiday tournament. The senior scored 16, 24 and 15 points as Newark Memorial finished the tournament 2-1.

To nominate an athlete for next week’s poll, email highschools@bayareanewsgroup.com by Monday, Jan. 16, at 11 a.m. Please include stats and team results.

We also review stats submitted to MaxPreps.com by coaches/team statisticians for consideration.

Winners are announced each Friday on the Mercury News & East Bay Times websites and, starting Sept. 30, in the print edition of the Mercury News and EB Times sports sections.

Past winners

Dec. 12-17: Deanna Luna, James Lick soccer

Dec. 5-10: Sofia Bowes, San Ramon Valley basketball

Nov. 28 to Dec. 3: Kendall McClure, Heritage basketball

Nov. 21-26: Soo-Jin Berry, Clayton Valley Charter basketball

Nov. 14-19: Rachel Stephens, Los Gatos water polo

Nov. 7-12: Raquel Calderon, Mercy-Burlingame volleyball