After defeating the Ridge Point Panthers 76-41 the Atascocita Eagles will take on the Summer Creek Bulldogs for the Region III Championship! Check out some pics from the Atascocita vs Ridge Point game below!
It isn’t uncommon for athletes to grow up on the same field together all the way to the high school stage. After all, schools and districts are zoned for a reason.
However, it is rare for lifelong friends to take that to the next level.
Two key contributors on Pearland’s state finalist baseball team – Jake Mader-Cooper (Sr. RHP/IF) and Isaiah Castañeda (Sr. OF/RHP) – have been on the same trajectory from the beginning.
“It feels amazing to have the opportunity to play at the college level with a friend I’ve played baseball with since Little League up to high school,” said Castañeda. “Jake is a great teammate and I feel like he’s someone who really pushes me and keeps me accountable. Keeping something like that going is irreplaceable.”
Both Mader-Cooper and Castañeda recently inked their futures by signing to play for Rice University at the conclusion of their high school careers. While they didn’t coordinate their initial decisions to commit, it seems like destiny played a part in it.
“Isaiah and I go back a long way, even with the All Stars when we were eight or nine,” said Mader-Cooper. “We’ve always had a good relationship with each other, pushing each other to be better, and I’m really fortunate to have him there (Rice) with me next year. Already having someone I know as well I know him there is just a plus for my future college experience.”
Now that the two have sealed the deal on their collegiate aspirations, what’s next?
“It’s a big relief, now that I’ve signed,” said Castañeda. “I don’t have to worry about trying to get into college and whether or not I’ll get to play ball when I’m there. Now, I can just go out there and have fun once the season starts. I’m still going to work hard, of course, so I can contribute to the team and be ready for my freshman year at Rice when all is said and done.”
“The mindset now is that the work has just started,” Mader-Cooper said. “Going to play D1 baseball is a much bigger challenge, so the end goal right now is to get better every day. There are things that I need to work on, and so does everybody else – small goals at a time. Rice will take care of itself, but for now we’re looking to make it back to State.”
Great minds do think alike.
Rice will be calling in the upcoming Spring, but Mader-Cooper and Castañeda still have a job to do when they take to the diamond for Pearland one last time.Read More...Read Less
SINCE DONNING HER BLACK AND GOLD JERSEY, HASTINGS’ MELINDA WINSTON HAS BEEN AN INDISPUTABLE GAME-CHANGER.
It might not come as a surprise, but this senior Bear has been a baller since day one.
“I would follow my older brother (Gabriel) into the gym, and he would always play with his friends,” said Winston. “I always wanted to be like him, so one day I went to the YMCA and I saw this boy dribbling the ball under his legs and I thought, ‘I want to learn how to do that’.
“So my Mom told me I could play at Fort Bend, but they made rules that said you can’t steal or block. That was too easy. I started AAU and the rest is history.”
It seems that her career has been a highlight reel, given that she’s led the team in scoring each season – most recently averaging over 17 points per game in 2022.
But according to her, scoring isn’t even her greatest asset.
“I’d say one of my biggest strengths on the court would be my ability to pick apart defenses,” she said. “You know, using Euro-steps, crossovers, watching their body language – I like pulling moves out of my bag, and seeing the look on the coaches’ face when I score. You can’t pay for that, it’s priceless.”
Winston’s palpable charisma makes it easy to see how she’s become a fan-favorite. She’s a great teammate, getting others around her involved.
“Everyone gravitates towards the scorer,” Winston said. “Even though I’m not a point guard, I’ve always been drawn towards that position because their job is to find their teammate’s favorites spots as well as their own. So, going through high school, my assists have gone up for that exact reason. It’s cool to see those windows and give your teammates some love.”
Players like this don’t come around often. So, what’s been the secret ingredient that has made Winston into the person she is?
“My biggest inspiration is easily my parents,” said Winston. “My Mom – who I’m named after – is majestic and carries herself with such grace and poise. She’s taught me to be humble and sensible with others.
“My Dad (Dennis Winston) was a professional football player. He’s in the Hall of Fame at the University of Arkansas and played with the Steelers and Saints, so there’s plenty to look up to. But, sometimes I’ll be having a bad day and he’ll send me inspirational quotes and give me advice. He’s always been there for me.”
While she has unfinished business at Hastings, Winston is more than prepared for the next level, where she will play at Georgia Southern.
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There is so much fun to be had at a VYPE Media Days!
From team and individual pictures, social media shout-outs and video interviews, it is all there for the student-athletes to feel like a superstar. VYPE had its Crosby ISD 2023 Winter Media Day recently.
Check out some of the best Crosby HS has to offer in the behind-the-scenes Hype Video from the Media Day!
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