A La Conner High School senior is the first election winner of the new year.

Not just locally, either, but on a statewide basis.

Sarah Cook, a key member of the school’s undefeated girls’ basketball team, was the top online vote-getter in polling for WaFd Bank’s Washington State Athlete of the Week honors through Sunday by Scorebook Live, a major sports website.

Cook was one of 19 nominees on the ballot for Dec. 20-26, a field that included Garfield boys’ hoops standout Koren Johnson, who is committed to the University of Washington men’s basketball program next season.

Cook received 32,318 votes based on her 18-point, four-steal effort in 2B La Conner’s recent 56-48 non-league home victory over previously unbeaten 3A Stanwood. She gained just under 38% of all votes cast.

The runner-up, with 19,053 votes (22%), was Hanford sophomore girls’ basketball player Lynnea Moran.

Final vote tabulations were posted Monday morning.

Coach Scott Novak wasn’t surprised by Cook’s strength at the digital polls.

“Sarah is a very versatile player who is having an outstanding season,” Novak said of the 5’-6” Cook, who regularly fills the stat sheet while scoring at a nearly 16-point per game clip.

“She’s a real tough matchup for other teams,” added Novak. “With her versatility, Sarah can score in the paint and can also step out and hit shots on the perimeter.”

Cook is coming off a stellar volleyball campaign, earning first team All-State accolades as a middle and outside hitter while helping lead La Conner to a third straight 2B net crown.

She had played an integral role during the modified spring 2021 basketball season and subsequent second place finish at the girls’ summer state 2B tournament in Mount Vernon last June.

“Sarah really came on strong at the end of last season,” Novak noted. “She has a very solid all-round game.”

Thanks to Scorebook Live, more commonly known as SBLive, Cook’s game is being discovered by fans across Washington.

SBLive features content from a wide network of reporters and is considered the digital connection for high school sports fans and a technology partner of state associations, coaches and administrators. The platform offers articles, photos, recruiting profiles, scores, college signings and special projects such as the WaFd Bank Athlete of the Week polling.

Athlete of the Week nominations are received from fans, readers and the SBLive staff. The website sets no limits on how many times each fan can vote for nominees but does not accept submission of automated votes.

SBLive voting last week confirmed Cook is not only a La Conner fan favorite but was the people’s choice throughout the state as well.