HOUSTON - Last week, Ypsi Prep Academy out of Michigan made a trip down to Houston where they faced off with Legacy School of Sports Sciences in a game at University of Houston's Fertitta Center.
The venue was a fitting location due to the collegiate-level talent being showcased on the hardwood. One of the big names was the No. 1 recruit in the country for the Class of 2022 - Emoni Bates. The junior is already verbally committed to Tom Izzo's Michigan State Spartans.
Bates and Ypsi Prep battled with Legacy's Ashton Smith (Texas A&M), Sir Isaac Herron and Aaron Scott. In the end it was Ypsi Prep pulling away for the 64-50 victory. Check out the highlights.
OUT ON THE COURSE THIS FALL, GOOSE CREEK MEMORIAL AND BAYTOWN LEE BOTH ADVANCED RUNNERS TO THE REGION III-5A CHAMPIONSHIP IN HUNTSVILLE.
On the girls' side, Goose Creek Memorial sophomore Gloria Martinez finished 27th overall (21:11.7), while on the boys' side Baytown Lee senior Derek Salinas finished 63rd overall (18:16.9).
At the District 22-5A Championships, Baytown Sterling took fourth place overall in the boys' race, while Goose Creek Memorial took fourth on the girls' side in the team scores.
Salinas finished seventh overall (16:35.92) for the Baytown Lee boys at district, while Brock Glasscock was the top runner for Baytown Sterling, finishing 11th overall (16:51.68). Saul Chavez finished 19th overall for Goose Creek Memorial.
In the girls' race, Martinez finished 10th (20:38.68), while Baytown Lee's Sarah Salinas took 12th (20:58.47) and Goose Creek Memorial's Kayleen Figueroa and Daicia Mascorro finished 15th and 18th overall, respectively.
Lake Creek can pitch, hit, run and has a lot of fun
"Team Tik Tok" is 28-0 and VYPE's No. 1 team in the city.
"They are fun to watch," coach Michelle Rochinski said. "We have the bats, the pitching and the energy. The team chemistry is awesome. I honestly have to say I haven't had a team this good, ever.
"And, yes they do a lot of Tik Toks," she laughs.
So, where is Lake Creek – the school with the double-body-of-water-name? In the chill town of Montgomery, near Lake Conroe.
The Lions are "Country Girls" with swag with fully bedazzled face paint and a chant or cheer for every pitch. Don't let the giggles fool you, they are killers on the diamond.
Emiley Kennedy is the ace. When I say ace, I mean she hasn't given up an Earned Run… all season. The 6-foot-1 lefty (9-0), who has signed with Texas A&M, is intimidating on the mound and has a lethal repertoire of pitches.
"Captain Swag" is leadoff hitter and shortstop Maddie McKee, a sophomore with over 133,000 followers on Tik Tok, who can run like the wind. Against Kingwood Park, she went 4-4 with four steals and three runs. She sets the tone. You get the picture.
The "Big Stick" is sophomore Ava Brown who hits at a .615 clip and has 10 home runs. Kennedy has 11 bombs.
The leader of the defense is sophomore catcher Kalee Rochinski (40K Tik Tok followers). The coach's daughter has a tremendous softball IQ and is VOCAL!
Caelee Clark, Jenny Robison, Madelyn Lopez and Shelby Winn are also big-time contributors in the field and at the plate. Brown is a beast on the mound as well with a 10-0 record and Brenna Kelly is also a talented pitcher with a 4-0 record.
Lake Creek has only played three years of varsity softball and has never won a playoff game. Well, that will change this season as the Lions are on a collision course with the likes of Barbers Hill, Santa Fe and Foster for the Regional title and beyond.
