JEFFREY REINHART jreinhart@LNPnews.com

As part of my Monday package, I’m picking a Player of the Week. The first award-winner this season is Donegal’s Nicky Hess, who has helped the Indians to a quick 2-0 start in league play. Also included in this package are this week’s top games. Read on:

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Nicky Hess, Donegal: The Indians’ junior guard is off to a fast start, and she came up big in Donegal’s first two league games last week. On Tuesday, she hit four 3-pointers and pumped in a game-high 24 points in the Indians’ 45-29 crossover win over backyard rival Columbia. And last Friday, Hess hit a 3-pointer — her 15th this season — and scored 12 points in Donegal’s 47-23 crossover win over Pequea Valley, as the Indians opened the season 2-0 in league play and 3-2 overall. Hess is averaging 19 points a game — second in the league.

THIS WEEK’S TOP GAMES

TONIGHT
Sections 3-4
Lancaster Catholic (3-3, 2-0) at Manheim Central (6-0, 2-0)
Crusaders are in sole possession of first place in Section 4, and the Barons, one of just two unbeatens still standing, are seeking a signature victory. Keep an eye on Catholic’s Brittany Ryder (21.5 in her last two games), and Central’s trio of Bekah Roland, Jenna Proffitt and Dani Artman — who will be playing against her former teammates after transferring from Catholic back to Central this year.

WEDNESDAY
Section 1
Hempfield (6-1, 2-0) at McCaskey (5-1, 2-0)
Always a classic, and the winner here gets an enormous leg up in the race. Keep an eye on a terrific baseline duel featuring Hempfield’s Analicia Evans and McCaskey’s Cherelle Simmons.
Section 3
L-S (7-0, 2-0) at Manheim Central (6-0, 2-0)
If L-S tops winless Annville-Cleona and if Central can get past Lancaster Catholic, the Pioneers and Barons would come into this showdown as the lone unbeaten teams in the league. Budding rivalry here; this should be a beauty.
Section 4
Lebanon Catholic (3-4, 1-1) at Lancaster Catholic (3-3, 2-0)
First game of a girls/boys doubleheader, and the Beavers would love to steal this one on the road. Lebanon Catholic senior guard Samantha Carangelo comes into the week with 884 career points.

FRIDAY
Section 4
Lancaster Mennonite (6-1, 1-1) at Lancaster Catholic (3-3, 2-0)
Killer week for Catholic is capped off by a visit from the Blazers, who will have one eye on the Crusaders’ game Wednesday against Lebanon Catholic. Section 4 should be a heck of race, and this game will go a long way in determining who will be the last team standing.