Atascocita Girls Basketball
The Eagles will be led by a solid junior crew. First-team, all-district pick Blake Matthews returns after averaging 8.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game a year ago.
Also returning are second-team, all-district picks Makaylee Duhon (5.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and Kori Fenner (5.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.5 spg). Robin Whitehead will be another player to watch as she heads into her senior year.
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BJ LaFell's much-anticipated launch in high school sports is nearing
The Nolan Ryan Junior High student is a rising star in football, basketball, and track & field, and he’s already earned his first college football offer.
Does the name sound familiar?
Back in 2004, Brandon “JoJo” LaFell starred at Lamar High School in HISD, excelling in—yes—football, basketball, and track. BJ’s father went on to play football at LSU, where he earned first-team All-SEC honors and won a BCS National Championship with the Tigers. A third-round draft pick by the Carolina Panthers, Brandon LaFell played nine seasons in the NFL and won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots, famously catching the game-winning touchdown against the Ravens.
“I remember being on the field after the Super Bowl, playing in all the confetti,” BJ laughed. “I still look back at that video that went viral of me sitting on my dad’s lap, playing with the microphone in the press conference room after the game.”
Fast forward a decade, and now it’s BJ LaFell who’s on the verge of becoming the next big thing in Houston sports.
“My dad is super involved and plays a major role in my success,” he said. “He’s already done all of this. He’s seen everything. He’s been through the recruiting process. He’s able to tell me step-by-step how to handle situations, and that’s huge to lean on.”
"His athleticism is what really reminds me of me," Dad said. "You see him on the field or the court and your thinking, this kid is dog, but off the court he is very quiet and reserve. He reminds me of former Texan Andre Johnson... the are the nicest people but when they flip that switch, it's flipped.
"He has such a competitive nature and wants to dominate and master everything he does. He has an edge to him that sets him apart. His leadership skills are also unmatched."
BJ plans to enroll at Shadow Creek High School, where he has big goals. His future football coach, Tyrone Green, was on staff at Lamar when his father played for the Redskins (now the Texans).
“My goals are to win a football, basketball, and track state championship, graduate, and earn a Division I scholarship,” he said. “I think I’ll stay with my class in football, but I feel like I can be on varsity in basketball and track. We’ll see.”
LaFell has dominated the junior high level and shines on the 7-on-7 football and AAU basketball circuits.
“Football helps me in basketball by making me more physical, especially finishing at the rim against bigger, stronger guys,” he said. “Basketball helps me in football with change of direction, endurance, and speed.”
On the football field, LaFell plays with the poise of someone well beyond his years.
“I love playing quarterback because I’m a really positive guy, take accountability, and am very coachable,” he said. “That’s just my personality.
“These spring 7-on-7 tournaments helped me get ready for high school—just the reps, learning to read defenses pre-snap, and throwing guys open. There’s so much to learn about reading coverages.”
With all that’s on his plate at such a young age, how does this soon-to-be ninth grader unwind?
“I like watching film on some of my favorites—Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, Tank Dell, and Jahmyr Gibbs,” he said. “I’m always going to take any opportunity to train, hang out with my friends, play 2K and Madden, watch movies, and go roller skating. I’m pretty good at skating.
“I’m just a regular teenager...”
Ehh, not really.
Clear Springs' Makenzie Thomas
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, as we're now in the thick of the postseason!
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My boss, Matt Malatesta, recently dubbed Iowa Colony “the new Fort Bend Marshall”—a nod to how quickly the Pioneers have become a dominant force in Texas high school track & field.
Under the leadership of Rachel Easley (Girls) and Aundra Long (Boys), Iowa Colony has made an immediate impact since opening in 2022.
The program burst onto the scene at last year’s UIL State Meet in Austin, with standout performances across the board.
Individually, Ashtyn Lewis claimed gold in the 400m and silver in the 200m, while Jayden Warren earned bronze in both the 100m and 200m. Ian Hill added a third-place finish in the 800m.
The relay teams were just as electric—Girls (1st in 4x400, 2nd in 4x200) and Boys (2nd in 4x100, 2nd in 4x400, 3rd in 4x200)—culminating in dual team titles at the 4A level. The boys shared the championship with Gilmer.
Now competing in Class 5A, the Pioneers haven’t missed a step.
Lewis, Warren, and Hill continue to excel, joined by emerging names like Xavier Bellard and Daniel Swiney. Their dominance was on full display at the recent Regional meet, setting the stage for another strong showing in Austin.
Normally, our PLAYMAKERS section highlights individual athletes. But this time, the spotlight belongs to the entire Iowa Colony program—a powerhouse that has earned every bit of recognition heading into the State Meet.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Oilers head into the 2025 postseason with a strong 21-7 record, following a second-place finish in the District 22-6A standings (13-3).
With the updated playoff structure, they enter as the district’s No. 1 seed in Division I—armed with momentum and experience.
Though Texas A&M-commit Nico Partida continues to be the focal point on offense and defense, he’s not alone in the effort.
Junior left-hander Grant Shepherd has quietly established himself as one of Pearland’s most reliable two-way players.
When Partida isn’t on the mound, Shepherd often gets the call from head coach David Rogers—and with good reason. He’s kept his ERA under 2.00 throughout the season, using a versatile arsenal to keep hitters off balance.
But his contributions don’t stop there. Shepherd also sees time in the outfield and at the plate, where he’s posted a .275 batting average with seven RBIs and a home run to his name.
Pearland is set to open the playoffs against Fort Bend Travis later this week as they look to punch their ticket to the UIL State Tournament for the third straight year—with Shepherd playing an increasingly pivotal role in that pursuit.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Despite finishing as the runner-up in District 24-6A, Clear Springs opened the 2025 postseason with authority.
The Chargers swept 23-6A powerhouse Summer Creek in convincing fashion—posting back-to-back wins (9-4 and 12-5), which improved their record to 19-6 – and sent a clear message to Houston-area contenders: they’re here to compete.
At the center of it all was freshman standout Makenzie Thomas.
In just her first playoff series, Thomas went 3-for-7 at the plate, launching three home runs, driving in five RBIs, and scoring four runs. Her performance not only helped propel Clear Springs into the next round but also introduced her as a rising force in the South Texas softball scene.
Alongside fellow impact player Erianna Garcia, Thomas represents the next generation of talent for a program looking to make a deep run.
Attention now turns to the upcoming series against Dobie, with Game 1 set for Wednesday night at 6:30 PM at La Porte High School. With their momentum growing, don’t be surprised if Thomas and the Chargers keep their hot streak rolling.
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Lutheran South Academy enters the postseason not only as the No. 1 team in TAPPS Division II, but also as the top-ranked team in Texas, according to MaxPreps.
With a near-flawless 30-3-1 record, the Pioneers appear well-positioned for a deep championship run.
Much of the attention naturally goes to high-profile names like LSU-commit Omar Serna and Texas-bound Marcus Cantu. But junior Jaylen Walker continues to prove he's just as vital to LSA’s success.
The versatile outfielder and right-handed pitcher has been a steady presence in the lineup all season, and his recent home run—his sixth of the year—only underscores his growing impact.
Whether at the plate, on the mound, or in the field, Walker’s all-around contributions give the Pioneers an added edge.
He’s a reminder that Lutheran South’s depth extends far beyond its star power—and that could be the difference as the postseason heats up.
Doug Brown (VYPE)
After finishing second in District 22-6A, Dobie entered the first round of the 2025 playoffs as underdogs against 21-6A champion Ridge Point.
But the Longhorns, led by head coach Robin Rackley, defied expectations—sweeping the Panthers with back-to-back wins (10-5, 10-7) to advance to the Area Round.
At the heart of that upset was senior Leslie Sarduy. The Midland College commit went 4-for-6 over the two-game stretch, tallying two RBIs, five runs, and a triple. Her impact was felt not only at the plate, but across the field—anchoring Dobie’s defense with veteran presence and composure.
Sarduy’s leadership has brought stability to a team looking to make a deep postseason run, and her recent performance suggests she’s far from done.
As the Longhorns prepare to face Clear Springs in the Area Round, all eyes will be on Sarduy to continue setting the tone for a team that's gaining momentum at just the right time.
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