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Cypress Springs' Makenzie "The Ansah" Jackson
Photo by Matt Powell (VYPE)
Add in the nickname — “The Ansah” — and Jackson's unmistakable swagger comes into full view.
Her confidence isn't without substance, either.
It didn't take long for Jackson to make her mark at the varsity level. In her first year with the Panthers, she secured District 16-6A MVP distinction and a spot on the TABC All-State team — an impressive haul for a freshman. The numbers were equally compelling, as she averaged nearly 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals per game.
Yet her introduction to basketball was far more modest.
“The journey started in the driveway, where my dad put up my first basketball goal,” Jackson recalled. “I actually played soccer at first, but once I started hooping and scoring — even against the boys — my mom was like, ‘Okay, she's a natural athlete.’ That's when we started taking basketball seriously.”
Photo by Matt Powell (VYPE)
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Of course, making a name for herself so early has brought an entirely new level of recognition. And while Jackson has embraced the spotlight, she's still learning to navigate everything that comes with it.
“There's definitely pressure when it feels like everyone is watching you,” she said. “It's almost like having a target on your back. But at the same time, it's kind of cool knowing that I have people's attention. I'm usually a shy, nervous person, but I'm getting used to that feeling and realizing just how big my name is starting to get.”
That reserved personality offers an intriguing contrast to the confidence Jackson exudes whenever she takes the floor.
Away from basketball, Jackson has an artistic streak. She's learning piano, taking art classes and frequently spends her free time drawing. She also draws inspiration from LSU standout MiLaysia Fulwiley, while finding a different kind of motivation in one of her favorite anime characters.
“Naruto is at the top of my list because I feel like I can relate to how driven he is to fight for his dream,” she explained.
Jackson has some considerable dreams of her own.
After helping Cypress Springs claim its fourth consecutive district championship and reach the Region II Final last winter, she's determined to push the Panthers beyond that threshold. A McDonald's All-American selection by her senior year is another benchmark she's set for herself.
“But I also want to win State,” Jackson emphasized. “This year, I feel like my teammates and I have a point to prove. I'm coming in with the mindset of eliminating everybody in front of us, and we can't let anybody get in our way.”
The featured standouts of the 2026-27 Cypress Springs Lady Panthers basketball team with head coach Taneisha RogersPhoto by Matt Powell (VYPE)
And those signature goggles? They're more than an accessory.
“I actually can't see when I'm not wearing them,” Jackson said with a laugh. “Plus, they keep other players from poking me in the eyes when I'm driving to the basket. I wear glasses 24/7, so if I can make them look cool while I'm playing, that's fine with me.”
For someone who's still adjusting to being recognized everywhere she goes, Jackson has certainly developed a look — and a name — that's difficult to forget.
The Ansah is only getting started.
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The featured standouts of the 2026-27 Houston Christian Lady Mustangs basketball team.
Photo by Matt Powell (VYPE)
3. The Village School Vikings
4. Second Baptist Eagles
5. The John Cooper School Dragons
Others to Watch: Concordia Lutheran Crusaders, Episcopal Knights, Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles, Lutheran South Academy Pioneers, St. Agnes Academy Tigers, St. John XXIII Lions, The Woodlands Christian Academy Warriors, Westbury Christian Wildcats
The Kinkaid School Lady Falcons
Photo by Matt Powell (VYPE)
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1. Houston Christian Mustangs
There may be some pushback to touting Houston Christian as the No. 1 private-school girls basketball team in H-Town — perhaps even the state. After all, the Lady Mustangs share a conference with two-time defending SPC 4A champion The Kinkaid School. Still, HCHS came dangerously close to dethroning Kinkaid a year ago, and there's little denying that its roster has gotten considerably stronger. First-year head coach Brianna “Bre” Taylor, who arrives from Lake Creek, inherits a wealth of firepower from a squad that went 22-7 en route to an SPC 4A runner-up finish. It all starts with UCF commit A’Zyua Blair, a four-star point guard capable of scoring at will. Blair averaged 17 points per contest last winter, earning TABC All-State and All-SPC accolades. Also back in the fold is junior Makayla Casey, who could assume greater responsibilities in the months ahead. Then, factor in the offseason additions. Junior Hailey Neal arrives from Klein Collins, where she averaged over 18 points and six rebounds per game while securing District 15-6A Offensive MVP honors. Fellow junior Kaycie Hanks, formerly of Cypress Creek, adds another scoring threat alongside Oregon State-bound senior Tess Stephenson, the reigning District 17-6A Offensive Player of the Year at Stratford. Suffice it to say, Houston Christian has everyone's attention. Now, can the Lady Mustangs translate that star power into their first SPC championship since 2023?
2. The Kinkaid School Falcons
Simply put, Kinkaid was virtually unstoppable last winter. Beyond their stellar 30-5 record, the Lady Falcons overpowered opponents across the public-school, TAPPS and SPC landscapes alike. That isn’t likely to change, although defending their back-to-back SPC 4A crowns may prove more challenging than ever. For starters, rival Houston Christian — whom Kinkaid defeated in the 2026 SPC 4A title game — has significantly bolstered its roster. Then there's the setback involving standout Ma’Ryiah Alfred, who underwent knee surgery in August and will be sidelined for the foreseeable future. Alfred is a phenom in the truest sense, boasting reigning VYPE Private School Player of the Year honors, TABC All-State recognition and a commitment to Houston. Replicating her production will be no small feat. But counting out Kinkaid would be a serious miscalculation. Head coach Stacey Marshall still has a championship-caliber arsenal at her disposal. Georgia Tech commit Sydney Marshall brings undeniable skill on the wing, complemented by TABC All-State selections Lauren Hull and Alexandra Gordon (Cornell commit). Seniors Kamdyn Flora (Central Missouri commit) and Victoria Walton round out a loaded rotation with designs on a three-peat. As Marshall puts it, “The biggest challenge is to stay present and compete to be the best version of ourselves every day. If we are able to do that consistently, this team could be special.” The target on Kinkaid's back has only gotten bigger. Fortunately, the Lady Falcons are accustomed to wearing it.
3. The Village School Vikings
It took some time, but The Village School finally added another state title to its trophy case in 2026. Everything clicked for coach Jason Cantwell and the Lady Vikings, who put together a stellar 30-6 campaign. The exclamation point came in February, when Village secured a convincing 70-56 win over Prestonwood Christian Academy in the TAPPS 6A State Championship game. The victory delivered the program’s second TAPPS crown — and first since 2020 — ushering in a different kind of pressure this winter. The directive from Cantwell? “Defend The Standard.” “We graduated four seniors who set the foundation for our run last year,” Cantwell said. “That responsibility now falls to our talented junior class of guards.” The versatile Hiu Lam Candice Tsiang headlines the group, coming off a first-team all-state selection last winter in which she averaged 10 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals per contest. Junior Nyla Singleton posted comparable numbers (10 PPG, 6 RPG, 2 SPG), collecting all-state honorable mention and first-team all-district recognition in the process. Amanda Rossini should take another step forward in an elevated role, while freshman Raiya Verma has an opportunity to make an immediate impression at The Village School.
4. Second Baptist Eagles
It didn’t take long for SBS to vault back into state contention. Putting their second-round playoff exit from 2024-25 firmly in the rearview mirror, the Lady Eagles flourished with J.R. Harrison calling the shots in his first year as head coach. Second Baptist put together a striking 25-7 campaign a year ago, highlighted by a trip to the TAPPS 5A Final Four, where SBS narrowly fell to Saint Mary’s Hall in the State Semifinals. An extended stay in the playoff bracket feels like the bare minimum for this squad, especially considering the wealth of talent Harrison is tasked with maximizing. Despite battling injuries throughout the winter, Eloise Tackett made her mark in a big way, averaging roughly 13 points, four rebounds and two assists — good for second-team all-state honors. Having the senior back at full strength could pay significant dividends. Then there's the intriguing addition of senior forward Adlaia “Addie” Beverley, daughter of former NBA standout Patrick Beverley. Arriving from Bellaire, she brings some serious muscle to the frontcourt after averaging nearly 13 points, 10 rebounds and three steals while collecting first-team all-district recognition with the Cardinals. Sophomores Caroline Baker and Reese Ertan — both first-team all-district honorees — figure to play pivotal roles as well. The potential is undeniable, but Harrison knows championships demand more than that. His mantra this winter? “SUFFER!” As he puts it, “Every team wants to win a championship, but not everybody wants to pay the price.” For SBS, embracing that discomfort could be the difference between another Final Four appearance and bringing home the hardware.
5. The John Cooper School Dragons
A new era is taking shape at The John Cooper School, but the expectations aren't getting any smaller. With longtime coach BJ Feuerhelm stepping into the athletic director role, Theresa Tran takes over a Dragons squad that went 18-10 last winter and came agonizingly close to knocking off eventual SPC 3A champion Episcopal School of Dallas in February's conference tournament. Fortunately for Tran, the cupboard is anything but bare. Junior forward Kylee Jameson is already a proven force in the paint, having averaged nearly 14 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks en route to All-SPC recognition. Her upside hasn't gone unnoticed, either, with Lamar University extending her first Division I offer. Cooper's backcourt gets a considerable boost with the addition of junior point guard Raegan Fowles, who arrives from Lake Creek with an impressive résumé. She averaged over 20 points, four rebounds and three steals with the Lions — numbers that earned her District 17-5A Offensive MVP distinction. Sydney Mullins (Jr. F), Ianna Brown (Sr. G), Gracie Bradley (Jr. G) and Brooklyn Dunn (So. G) round out a formidable rotation for the Dragons. The personnel is there. Now, it's Tran's turn to see just how far she can take JCS.
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