It’s a new season of sports in Lexington County as winter sports are fully underway.

While the weather may be cooling down, action is heating up on the courts as basketball teams compete for early wins. At the same time, a handful of football teams are braving the cold and competing for a state title. 

Whether early in the season or late in a championship push, Lexington County’s top athletes show up to play. This week’s Athlete of the Week winners are in two different phases of their seasons, but are still balling out nonetheless. 

Voting for Athlete of the Week runs from 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Monday each week at lexingtonchronicle.com/athleteoftheweek. To submit a nominee for consideration, email a photo and short bio to sports@lexingtonchronicle.com.

Maleek Miller

Irmo football wide receiver Maleek Miller had a big game to help put the Yellow Jackets back in the 5A Division II championship game. 

The junior scored three touchdowns as Irmo ran away with a 44-6 win over Berkeley. He finished with 62 yards rushing and 43 receiving yards on five catches. He also had a 65-yard punt return.

Miller has been a focal point of the Yellow Jackets’ offense this season. He had many explosive games this season and helped the Yellow Jackets finish the regular season 9-1. 

Irmo will count on Miller to have one more big outing as they prepare for a state championship rematch against Northwestern. 

Abby Livingston 

Yellow Jackets girls basketball star Abby Livingston is off to a great start in her junior campaign. 

Irmo began the week 3-0 with wins over Indian Land, Columbia and Wilson. Livingston put up huge numbers in the wins, recording a triple-double in all three. 

In the season-opener versus Indian Land, she finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and six steals, while shooting 10-13 from the floor. 

In the next outing versus Columbia, she scored 21 points with 12 rebounds, 10 assists, six steals and three blocks on 10-14 shooting. 

In the final game against Wilson, Livingston had 14 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and four steals, while shooting 5-11. 

It has been a tremendous start for Livingston and Irmo in their first season under a new head coach. The team will look to continue its winning ways this week with games against Newberry and Lancaster.