|
|
|
|
Monday, September 8, 2008
Everybody’s All Americans
Houston, TX
|
|
|
By: Dustin Porter
|
Photo(s) By: Eric Christian Smith
|
Kolby Gray
Size: 6-foot-2, 200-pounds
School: Cy-Falls Golden Eagles
Position: Quarterback
The Vype Hype:
Kolby Gray never gave much thought to the quarterback position before high school.
“I always played defense all the way up through eighth grade,” he said. “I also played basketball and baseball and I really thought my best sport was basketball. Well the coaches moved me to quarterback in ninth grade and I couldn’t go back, but I think I play the position like a defensive guy would play it.”
Last season, Gray was really offensive, putting up big numbers en route to a playoff appearance. He threw for 3,350 yards and 32 touchdowns and rushed for 300 yards and eight touchdowns. With a year of experience and a summer of instructional camps, Gray will only be better as a senior.
“Those were some pretty gaudy numbers last year and it just kind of happened,” he said. “I think the experience will help. I’ve been through the big games and will just be a lot calmer, having seen everything before.”
Gray’s most memorable moment last season was against a talented Westfield team early in the season.
“I hurt my ankle during the game and was out until half-time,” he said. “I begged Coach (David Raffield) to let me back in the game and he said no. I just kept saying I could play and he let me in. We took the opening drive 99 yards and ended up winning the game against a really physical team.
“Beating Cy-Fair and Sam McGuffie last season was also a highlight,” he said. “There was so much hype around that game and stopping him. We brought them down. It wasn’t my best game, but it was a great moment for us.”
With his gutsy performances and stellar numbers Gray has been pursued by Division I coaches over the past several months. He has been offered by UTEP, Rice, North Texas, Marshall, Vanderbilt and Army, but doesn’t play on making a decision until mid-season or later.
“I really got off track with the recruiting process this summer,” he said. “It really messes with you. I’ve been to so many camps around the country and so many coaches have told me so many things. Honestly I’m ready to forget about it and go and play.”
Shawn Hindman
Size: 6-foot-1
School: Memorial
Position: Right Side Hitter
The Vype Hype:
It’s not a stretch to say the Memorial Mustangs had one of the better volleyball teams in Houston in 2007. After going 25-5 last season, the Mustangs made an exit from the playoffs earlier than expected. But this year they’re locked and loaded and Shawn Hindman returns to take this team to new heights.
The 6-foot-1 Hindman has committed to Indiana after receiving offers from Rice, Florida St. and Pacific. “Committing to Indiana is definitely one of the shining moments of my career,” she said. “That and making the AAU All-America team.
“Our main goal is to work hard and get as far as we can,” responded Hindman when asked about expectations concerning the up-coming season. “We return five seniors and we should have the experience to be a pretty good team.”
It’s not unfamiliar to hear a teenager say their favorite genre of music is country or rap, but Shawn is also interested in a less popular style. “What’s that guy’s name? Marley? Bob Marley, that’s it!” exclaimed Hindman, who has an obvious affinity with Reggae. “I like him, George Strait, Kenny Chesney and Brad Paisley.
“When I get a chance I like going to the beach, and the movies. I guess just anything outside,” Hindman said, who has been involved in volleyball since she was 14 years old.”
No matter what Hindman’s favorite music is or pastimes are, her main goal in 2008 will be making sure Memorial doesn’t make anymore premature exits in the postseason like seasons before.
Colby Goodwin
Size: 6-foot-5, 225-pounds
School: Cy-Fair Bobcats
Position: Tight End
The Vype Hype:
For years, Cy-Fair has been putting out college football Division I talent and the baton has been passed to their physical tight end Colby Goodwin this year.
“I never really thought I would be playing college football until my coaches approached me last year and said I could play at the next level,” he said. “He was right. It’s pretty cool to be that guy because the younger guys look up and listen to you more. That’s my instinct already, but it makes it a lot easier.”
Sitting atop the Rocky Mountains, we caught up with Goodwin on an unofficial visit to the University of Utah.
“It’s pretty nice up here in the mountains,” he laughed. “It’s not 100-degrees here. Utah is an established program and I really like the coaching staff and the facilities. It’s really coming down to Duke and Utah right now and they are neck and neck.”
Goodwin visited Duke this summer along with West Virginia and Texas A&M.
While he continues to grow into his frame, Goodwin’s aggressive approach to the game has impressed college scouts and even his coaches.
“People think I’m pretty thin, but I’ll take on any 250-pound defensive end,” he laughs. “I like to be physical.”
While his future is in football, Goodwin will be returning to the basketball hardwood this season after sitting out a year.
“I was really concentrating on football last offseason, but I want to play this year,” he said. “I was our team’s leading rebounder as a sophomore.”
Goodwin will be the Big Man on Campus this year for the Bobcats.
Kendall Cleveland
Size: 6-foot
School: Cy-Falls
Position: Outside/ Utility
The Vype Hype:
Kendall Cleveland of Cy-Falls has spent much of the past summer preparing herself for the up-coming season. She will be the leader of the Golden Eagle volleyball team as well as one of the top players in Houston
Cleveland is a highly-coveted prospect in the area with offers from the likes of Maryland, Colorado St. and Lehigh. Cleveland cited Maryland as her early favorite. “It’s so beautiful,” she said. “I could really see myself going there.”
After an early exit from the playoffs last season by the hands of the Katy Tigers, Cleveland’s main goal in 2008 is to go further than last year -- the ultimate prize being a state championship.
She has won numerous awards already, including the chron.com Player of the Week, Cy-Falls’ team MVP and her personal favorite, an academic all-district selection.
Kendall believes her big sister, Casey, who currently plays volleyball for San Jacinto Community College, has been a role model for her. “Casey has really been there for me,” she said. “She played volleyball too, so she kind of knows what I’m going through.”
Like most other girls her age, Cleveland enjoys spending her free time hanging out with friends, shopping, and spending time at the Texas Tornado’s facility, where she works and plays club volleyball.
Joe Mitchell
Size: 6-foot-4, 210-pounds
School: Morton Ranch
Position: Quarterback
The Vype Hype:
The “Joe Show” has literally come out of nowhere. Mitchell played safety much of last season before moving to the quarterback position for the Mavericks’ last game. That was the only game that Morton Ranch won in 2007.
Under new coach Steve Svendsen, Mitchell will get every opportunity to show opponents and college scouts his athletic skills and leadership.
“My expectations are to get to the playoffs and win district,” he said. “We want to show that we are different now and a worthy opponent. We want to show that we deserve some respect.”
Mitchell has impressed scouts thus far, attracting official offers from UTEP, Kentucky and Tulane, while several other schools are nearing.
“When I got the first offer I was shocked,” he said. “I called my dad and he was thrilled. I didn’t know what to do with it. I didn’t know if I was supposed to sign it or what.”
During Mitchell’s free time, he spends at his church – Second Baptist Church. Before becoming “The Joe Show,” he was Katy Youth Football League’s Texans organization.
Lindsey Miller
Size: 6-foot-1
School: Cinco Ranch
Position: Middle Blocker
The Vype Hype:
You don’t normally see girls of Lindsey Miller’s stature walking up and down school hallways. You’re more likely to see girls who are 6-foot-1 with a thin, athletic body walking up and down fashion show catwalks.
Miller, who attends Cinco Ranch High School, has already made up her mind where she wants to go to school. Holding offers from the likes of Tennessee, Alabama, SMU, Florida St. and Virginia, Lindsey decided to stay close to home and go to Texas A&M. “I really liked the girls and the coaches. College Station is a cool town too.”
The middle-blocker has been playing volleyball since her eighth-grade year.
Being the star player for Cinco Ranch, it’s squarely on Miller’s shoulders to lead the Cougars to the promised land. “I hope we make it to the playoffs and go deep,” he said. “We want to win district too.”
Lindsey’s favorite musical talents include Jack Johnson and Garth Brooks, but admits that she listens to a little bit of everything. “I really don’t have a specific favorite, but I really like those two a lot.”
Although Miller is already committed to being an Aggie, her heart is still with Cinco Ranch until the season ends. “I’ll worry about College Station when I get there, so for now it’s a state championship or bust.”
Chris Roberson
Size: 6-foot-1, 215-pounds
School: Katy Tigers
Position: Deep Snapper, Fullback
The Vype Hype:
Katy Tiger Chris Roberson has the championship ring, has the girlfriend and has a starting position on one of Texas’ most recognized high school football teams. He’s got it all.
Roberson ranks as one of the most coveted deep-snappers in the country by Chris Sailor Kicking.com and is hearing from Division I colleges for his services. After moving from the linebacker position a year ago, Roberson has fell in love with the fullback position and is thriving.
“I’m used to hitting people at linebacker and now I do it on offense,” he said. “Now I tuck the ball, catch the ball out of the backfield and start hitting people. The coaches asked me if I wanted to go back to linebacker and I was like, ‘heck no.’”
Roberson, who is dating Katy softball/volleyball star Matte Haack, make up the high school’s most athletic couple on campus.
“She’s going to Texas Tech as a shortstop and she is a baller,” he laughs. “They don’t give a whole lot of full rides to softballers.”
Expectations at Katy are off the chart year after year, but after winning a state championship the heat is on more than ever.
“I know that people are doubting us,” he said. “That is a bad idea. We know a lot of people are watching us and there is pressure, but it’s so much fun and exciting to play here.”
Desiree Elliott
Size: 5-foot-10
School: Cy-Woods
Position: Middle/ Outside Hitter
The Vype Hype:
It would be easy for Cy-Woods to get lost in the shuffle when talking about the top volleyball programs in Houston. After all, this is only the school’s third year in existence and they don’t exactly play in the easiest district. But Desiree Elliott has her own agenda, and at top of her to-do list is a state championship.
“We want to go all the way to state. First, we want to go undefeated in our district. Then we want to make it to the tournament and go all the way,” Elliott said.
Desiree is in the process of remodeling her trophy case after winning Newcomer of the Year in the district, as well as being named first-team, all-district and academic all-district teams. Plenty more accolades should be rolling in come winter.
Desiree, who has been playing volleyball since she was in fourth-grade, enjoys hanging out with friends, going to the movies, shopping, and most of all boys. “Well, I don’t have a boyfriend as of now. But that’s a good thing. Right?”
Elliott is being courted by colleges including LSU and the University of Texas right now. She favors LSU, but there is still plenty of time before she has to pull the trigger on a school.
“My parents are definitely my biggest role models. Also my big sister,” she said. “I guess just my family overall. And Barack Obama.”
Most importantly, what is in her IPOD? “Rap and a lot of rock,” she said. “Lil’ Wayne, Psycho, Puddle of Mud, Nickleback and Colby Caillat. Those are my favorites.”
|
|
| No comments added! Click [ add a comment ] to be the first! |
|
|
|
|
|
Vince Oghobaase
by: Matt Malatesta
Four years ago, Houston’s own Vincent Oghobaase took the path less travelled. The Alief Hastings defensive tackle had been offered...
More 
Archives
|
|
|
|
Lucas DeVilliers
Cypress Woods quarterback Lucas DeVilliers is having a break-out season. We caught up with him while nursing an injury to...
More
Archives
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
by: Matt Malatesta
Spring Branch Northbrook High School is no football hot bed. It’s not one of these super schools in the suburbs...
More
Archives
|
|
|
|
|
What movie, book or public figure do you draw inspiration from and how do you implement them in your coaching?...
More
Archives
|
|
|
|
|
You need to upgrade your Flash Player to version 9 or newer.
|
|
|
|
™
®
