1..2...3....Cheese!
No, we are not asking if you want cheese on your No. 1 from Whataburger. Instead, saying to smile for the camera. DFW Metroplex, basketball stars got to experience the bright lights at the recent VYPE DFW basketball Photoshoot presented by Whataburger.
Practice has begun and athletes have been given the green light to start working out in pads marking the official start of the Texas high school football season. As teams continue preparing for their preseason schedule, many fans are taking to the VYPE DFW fan polls to vote for players they believe deserve preseason honors. Arlington Grace Prep inside linebacker and running back, Bryce Prince, recently won the VYPE DFW Preseason Private School Football Defensive Player of the Year Fan Poll. Following Prince's win, VYPE DFW caught up with the incoming sophomore in an exclusive interview.
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For an athlete to be truly great at what they do, they must reman focused and sharpened throughout their offseason. For Prince, this includes working hard to get to where he wants to be. "I stay focused during the off season by training with a personal trainer and specialized coach to improve my skills," Prince told VYPE.
By working with people who help him become the best that he can be, Prince has been successful so far with Arlington Grace Prep. "The secret to my personal success [last season] was personal experience and teamwork," Prince opened up about his first year with Grace Prep. I have been playing football since the age of four, however, having a great team and great coaches helped me succeed last year."
Speaking of the team, Grace Prep put up an incredible season last fall. With a 10-1 overall record and a 91% win percentage, the Lions went undefeated in regular season play (7-0) as they plowed their way into playoffs. "In my opinion, the secret to the team's success was accountability and talent," Prince said. "We had a great, talented team- from the freshmen to the seniors."
As the season gets rolling, there are many things to look forward to. For Prince it all boils down to getting to play. "I am most looking forward to starting on both the defensive and offensive sides of the ball. In the past I've played defense, but this year I will play on both sides of the ball-- running back and linebacker-- which is exciting to me," Prince started.
"My mind is set on winning a state championships," he continued. "My individual goals going into the season are to make 70+ tackles and surpass my total from last season. I want to perform better than I did last year and lead the team in tackles."
With the ability to keep a great mindset as he has played football, Prince has been extremely accomplished in his career so far. "My biggest accomplishment so far," Prince opened up, "was being the second leader on the team in tackles and third in rushing yards as only a freshman." During his success last season, Prince had one of his favorite memories with the Lions: "Making two significant plays during the game-- a sack and a rushing touchdown."
Although there is still plenty of time to decide what the future has in store for him when he closes the chapter on his high school career, Prince has already started thinking about college and the potential for playing football in a college program. "I am looking for a program that provides a good education, environment, and a great football program," Prince said.
Prince is hoping to major in meteorology. "I've always been interested in the weather and I love science."
Who is your favorite pro football team?
"Carolina Panthers."
As an athlete, who do you most look up to?
"I look up to Saquan Barkley because he is a versatile player-- which is what I aspire to be."
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be? What would you hope to talk about?
"I would love to go to dinner with Saquan Barkley and talk about his plays and workout regime."
PrimeTime Sports and VYPE DFW partnered up to cover the annual PrimeTime Sports Nationals expo and championships. As teams got together throughout the week of July 27th - July 31st, VYPE DFW went behind the scenes to capture all the action for fans across the country to see. Check out our highlight footage from both the expo and championship Sunday below!
At the Expo for PrimeTime Sports, teams and athletes gathered to sign in and collect their information for the week. Once all of this was complete, there were tons of vendors, events, and things to do at the Southwest Athletic Center. Athletes could find all sorts of apparel from vendors, get free fresh hair cuts, experience the 360photo booth, and more before moving on to participate in a plethora of skills competitions with the hopes of being named a Queen or King of the Court! Another big perk of the expo was being able to see current Knicks star, Julius Randle, complete a work-out in person!
Highlight film created by Ibifiri Jamabo
After a long week of tournament play, the best of the best gathered on Sunday to compete for the top spots in their categories. Some of the best athletes in the area competed to be crowned victorious for this year's National Championships. Check out VYPE DFW's highlight reel of Championship Sunday below!
Highlight film created by Ibifiri Jamabo
Matches are right around the season for Texas High School Volleyball. With plenty of athletes working hard throughout the summer to keep their skills sharp, there are a handful who have really stood out among the rest. VYPE DFW recently interviewed Crandall Pirates middle blocker Leah Gardner-- VYPE DFW's recruit of the week! Gardner discussed her time so far with the Pirates as well as what she's looking forward to this fall!
Last season, the Crandall Pirates fought hard to post big wins against the likes of Wolfe City, Newman Smith, West Mesquite, and more. Gardner played a key role in leading the Pirates toward their success on the court. She credits a lot of the team's success to their chemistry. "We were all friends with each other and bonded on and off the court," Gardner said. "This allowed us to gain momentum multiple times in matches and maintain and win games against teams we had lost to the previous season."
Though the team showed strength as a whole unit, Gardner also showed plenty of success as an athlete. During her time with Crandall, Gardner has been named First Team All-District, Offensive Player of the Year, Outstanding Blocker, and Most Valuable Player for the team's awards last season. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA, Gardner has also been named Academic All-State three seasons in a row. So, what's the secret to her personal success? "My ability to stay level-headed when things get intense," says Gardner. "I do my best to stay calm and play to a higher level than I had before. This also applies to when I make errors- I recognize what I did wrong, correct it in my head, and then focus on the next play. You have to have short-term memory in volleyball."
In order to remain successful on and off the court, an athlete needs to be focused at all times... especially during the offseason. For Gardner, this entails continuing to put in hard work with club volleyball. "My offseason consists of club volleyball multiple days of the week. I train for many hours with amazing coaches and players to consistently get better and play at a high level. This helps me tremendously when the school season rolls around."
Setting goals is an important part of accomplishing big things as a young athlete. Gardner has laid out goals for herself season after season. Last season, Gardner says her goals were to be an impactful athlete. "I wanted to increase my number of blocks per season." Continuing to use her goals to power her success, Gardner has also set goals ahead of her senior season that is rapidly approaching: "My goals for this upcoming season are to make it to playoffs and to get at least half as many blocks as I do kills."
With the right mindset, goals are certainly obtainable. "My mindset going in to each season is to enjoy it, do my best, and make it to playoffs. Hopefully we can do that this season to finish my high school volleyball career."
Crandall is preparing for a tough schedule this season, but it's certainly one that they can be successful in powering through. Gardner has many things that she's looking forward to, but she laid out just what has her excited for the season ahead. "I am most looking forward to having a new coach, Courtney Linton," Gardner said. "I went to AAU with her last summer and I grew so much as a player in a short amount of time. I think she will change the CHS volleyball program in the best way and lead us to success!"
Although there is still plenty to look forward to, VYPE DFW asked Gardner what her favorite memory with Crandall volleyball has been. "One of my favorite memories from my high school career is from when I got my first kill as a varsity player. I was a freshman playing RH and we were playing Brownsville in front of a home crowd. I got the kill and our student section started chanting: 'She's a freshman!' Most of the student section was aware that it was my first game as a varsity player and when they went wild it made the moment extremely memorable and special!"
Although Gardner is not yet committed to a college program, she has not ruled out the idea of playing volleyball at the next level. "I am looking for a team with a winning culture that feels like a home away from home," Gardner told VYPE. "I want to feel like I matter and would be an important part of the team."
Gardner plans on majoring in accounting with the hopes of becoming an accountant for the FBI.
What is your favorite professional sports team?
"The New Orleans Saints since I am originally from Louisiana."
As an athlete, who do you most look up to?
"I look up to Foluke Akinradewo and Lauren Stirvins. They are both extremely talented MBs and I love to watch them play and learn from them."
If you could have dinner with any person (dead or alive) who would it be? What would you hope to talk about?
"It would have to be Louis Tomlinson. He's one of my favorite singers and I love- and relate to- his music."
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