VYPE recently traveled out to Spring Branch ISD and Stratford for the Spring 2022 Media Day.
VYPE's Josh Koch caught up with Tim Johnson and Mark Mathe of Stratford Boys and Girls golf.
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Bailey Warren of Fulshear Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Chargers star has had numerous offers to ponder over in recent months – South Carolina and LMU, in particular. But when it came to it, Warren knew at some point that she wanted to attend Wake Forest University.
“The difference between the offers I had and Wake Forest has been the relationship that was built, starting with U15 all the way to the point I had committed,” said Warren. “They’ve been watching me for a long time, seen my ups and downs and have stuck with me the whole way through, which really stood out to me. Their coaches and program as a whole is a really nice, but it all started with that relationship.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Moving to North Carolina will be a big leap for a high school graduate. .
“My family has been really supportive and trusting in my decision,” she said. “They wanted to make sure it would be a good fit for me and that I would be happy. There wasn’t any pressure from them after I committed, so I know I’ve made the right choice.
“I know they’ll try to visit me as much as possible, but it (moving to North Carolina) obviously is going to be really different. That’s a part of growing up – figuring stuff out on your own. I want to enjoy myself and make sure I’m not in a bad mental state. They’ve been supportive all the way through, so I’m sure I’ll be happy once I’m there.”
Now that she is committed, does anything change for Warren, as she and Fulshear (26-4) are blazing through the district portion of the regular season?
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Fulshear Chargers VolleyballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“I think there has definitely been a weight lifted off my shoulders,” Warren said. “At the same time, I don’t want to get complacent since there are always more goals to reach. I think holding myself and my teammates accountable through the rest of the season is going to be my top priority.
“It comes down to staying consistent in practice, when no one is watching. We’re still going to push each other on the court, in both training and game situations, so that we can play to our highest potential at all times.”
With a definitive district matchup against Foster coming up, the power surge seems to just be getting started for Fulshear and their newly-committed outside hitter.
The team that once broke the scoreboard with one of the most explosive offenses in the city is now leaning on its defense and special teams to lead the way.
“We have been known for an explosive offense and we would have to score 40 or 50 points to win ball games,” coach Sam Parker said. “That puts a lot of stress on an offense. These guys on defense took their lumps as sophomores. Now that they are seniors, they are leading the way and I couldn’t be happier for them.
“It has completed changed our game plan… we aren’t afraid to punt and play a field-position game because we trust our defense,” he said.
The Wildcats are 4-0 on the season and face Klein Forest this week. They are giving up a stingy 10.2 points per game, while still scoring at an alarming 50 points per game.
Tomball Memorial’s success should be a surprise, having gone 11-1 and three rounds deep in the playoffs as early as 2020.
“That year we had a special class with like 45 seniors,” he said. “In 2021, we played 25 sophomores. They were pups and we struggled, so people wrote us off. Last year we went to the playoffs, and now they are seniors and hungry.”
Deshawn Johnson, Ethan Chamorro and Jalen Ellis have led the defensive front, while the linebacking corps is anchored by Brayden Poe, Blake Holt, Ethan Lea and Hayden Winsor. Nyle Hughes, Joshua Flash, R’Mon Williams, Justin Stewart and Colin Helmer patrol the secondary.
“They are playing at such an elite level right now,” Parker said. “It may sound strange, but their play effects how we call plays on offense. We don’t have to take huge risks to score on every possession. It has changed our mindset.”
Now, let’s not get it twisted… the Wildcats can still score.
Junior Aiden Martin won the QB-battle coming out of camp and has thrown for over 900 yards and 15 TDs to one INT.
Treveon Green is averaging over 114 yards on the ground per game behind the likes of senior Clayton Schupp and juniors Henry Buelow, Sutton Clark and Jayden Young up front.
“In the beginning of the season, I could tell the game was moving really fast for Aiden (Martin),” Parker said. “It’s been cool to seen him grow up right before our eyes the past few games.
“And that offensive line? They are so unselfish and such a fun group to be around.”
The Wildcat skill players are outstanding led by talented WRs Lance Martinez, Yeriel Rodriguez, Ashton Ansley and Lane Stockton.
“Lane Stockton has shown so much character,” he said. “Here he is… going from possibly being the QB to finding a way to keep contributing. He has shown tremendous leadership and is a great teammate.”
As September turns into November as quick as the leaves will fall to the ground, Tomball Memorial will be a disruptor as they challenge for a district title and make a run in the postseason.
Remember… offense wins games, but defense wins championships.
“We are winning the moment right now,” Parker said. “We aren’t looking ahead of that first practice period or the first kickoff of a game. This is a special group and they know that this is their time.”
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Stratford Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
After graduating eight seniors off last year’s team, including the District-MVP Skylar George, who’s currently at Utah, what has been the motivation for coach Jennifer Adcock’s group, as Stratford (28-6) has ascended the rankings of H-Town volleyball?
“To be honest I have to give you guys (VYPE) some of the credit, because when we saw that we were placed in the “Other teams to watch” category for the preseason magazine, it really ticked the girls off,” she laughed. “They’ve really felt kind of overlooked this season. They have felt like they really have something to prove.”
“I think that not being seen as a top group before the season has been something that’s fueled their fire to prove people wrong. We don’t focus as much on winning, but we talk a lot about the culture, and being good teammates, and then we train. You combine those aspects, and you have girls who really want to play for each other. It’s a good recipe for us.”
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Stratford has a whole slew of individuals who’ve stepped up in the big moments.
In her eighth-season as head coach, Adcock has turned to her captains, Izzy Rodriguez (Sr. DS), Sophie Corbeil (Sr. OH), and Ashley Jones (Sr. OPP) to anchor the leadership roles among the talented roster, which features the likes of fellow playmakers, Gwen Koss (So. OH), Chloe Popkin (Sr. OH/DS), Audrey Cook (So. S), and Sarah Hickman (So. OPP).
While there is no “alpha” on the court per se, that has actually proven to be beneficial for the Spartans.
“This might sound like lip service, but we value the bench incredibly in our program,” said Adcock. “We have a lot of talent that comes from that side, with several of our players splitting time. I think the leadership, for us, comes from a lot of individuals who step up in particular instances.”
“It helps when several players can be depended on and carry the weight of that responsibility, rather than one individual. We’re fortunate to always have someone who will have your back when times are tough.”
Izzy Rodriguez (Sr. Libero/DS)
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Now that the Spartans are no longer being overlooked, and have a proverbial target on their backs, how has the mentality changed for Adcock’s team?
“It really hasn’t changed much,” she said. “We have approached every single match with the mindset of ‘let’s play hard, let’s play for each other.’ Today is today, and we’re gonna tackle who’s in front of us, regardless of who’s across the net.”
“Having a target on our backs is a big responsibility, because people have this opinion of you now. But I think the girls, buy in large, enter each game with a respect for their opponent, and they aren’t focused too far ahead. We’re trying to appreciate the moment.”
Stratford is now the hunted, but that is unlikely to slow them down as they head into the remainder of their district schedule. All signs point towards a trip to the postseason and beyond, so stay tuned.
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