The George Bush Broncos upsets the Ridge Point Panthers 63-54!
Check out some amazing photos by VYPE U Ambassador Lorin Cook
The George Bush Broncos upsets the Ridge Point Panthers 63-54!
Check out some amazing photos by VYPE U Ambassador Lorin Cook
After four months of competing, it's all come to this.
The UIL volleyball season is coming to its dramatic conclusion and it should go without saying that H-Town is going to be well represented at the state tournament.
With teams such as Grand Oaks, Cinco Ranch, and Fulshear making their way to Garland, TX this weekend, the potential for a championship is within their grasp. Inevitably, the climax to this year should be nothing less than a spectacle to witness.
Here is the breakdown of what to expect at the Curtis Culwell Center this Friday and Saturday.
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Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
After beginning the season as the No. 1 ranked team in Houston, Grand Oaks (48-1; 16-0) has never looked back.
Despite dropping their first set since August, the Regional Tourney was nothing short of dominant for the Grizzlies, as they defeated Sachse (3-1) and Tomball Memorial (3-0) in order to advance to the state final-four.
Grand Oaks has made it perfectly clear that they're loaded from top to bottom -- Jaela Auguste (Sr. MB), Halle Thompson (So. OH), Audrey Terry (Sr. S/DS), Samara Coleman (Jr. OH), Caelyn Emmerling (Sr. OPP), the list goes on.
Next up for Grand Oaks is Prosper (37-9), who is coming off a big win against Southlake Carroll. But if their performance season has been any indication, the Region II reps could very possibly be vying for a championship on Saturday.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Cinco Ranch (37-5; 16-0) claimed the Region III title in four sets against district opponent Seven Lakes to maintain their status as one of H-Town's finest.
Similar to fellow contender Grand Oaks, it's no secret who the Cougars' stars are. Between Kassidy O'Brien (Jr. S), Gabriella Martinez (Jr. OH), Makenna Loo (Sr. OH), and Magdalene Finnegan (Jr. L), Cinco Ranch's current roster could be the best the school has ever seen.
If they can take down Northside Harlan (44-5) on Friday, that could very well be the case.
An even crazier thought? If both H-Town teams win in the State Semis, we could finally see a matchup between Cinco Ranch and Grand Oaks.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Now that's how you make an entrance!
Fulshear (40-4; 14-0) made a statement by advancing to the state tourney with a three-set victory over a red-hot Barbers Hill team.
If the Chargers' key pieces -- namely Bailey Warren (Jr. OH), Lauren Witte (Jr. OH), Sydney Black (Jr. L), Alexys James (Jr. S), and Yosola Adeleke (Jr. MH) -- continue at their current pace, a state title could be well withing their grasp.
First up is Lucas Lovejoy (32-10).
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 Fort Bend ISD 2023 Winter Media Day recently.
Check out some of the best Fort Bend ISD Soccer has to offer in the behind-the-scenes Hype Video from the Media Day!
I knew DJ Hayden.
He was a teenager trying to make a name for himself on the recruiting landscape coming out of Elkins High School back in 2008-2009.
He was selling hard, but really wasn’t getting any Division I takers. We would talk about potential schools who were in contact, but nothing was concrete. PJ Wilson was his confidant and hype-man, but honestly DJ was somewhat of an unknown. He would go to camps and visits and… nothing concrete.
But DJ Hayden had this unbelievable belief in himself. And that was his legacy.
He signed with Navarro Junior College. If you have ever signed or played at a junior college, you know the juco life… it’s not glamorous and it is tough to get out. He did.
Hayden was laser-focused with a desire burning inside to get to the DI level. Like, burning. He won a Junior College National Championship in 2010 and played himself into a scholarship to the University of Houston.
Back home, he went off and thrived on the big DI stage. He started as a junior as a lockdown corner. Speed was his calling card.
As a senior, he would have another huge obstacle to overcome. In a freak accident during practice, he would collide with a teammate who inadvertently caught him with a knee to his chest. Hayden would nearly die as his inferior vana cava was torn in his heart. He was touch-and-go but would survive. His season was over.
Was his career over?
Again, we are talking about DJ Hayden.
He couldn’t really participate in the NFL Combine due to his injury, but was still considered the No. 1 cornerback in the 2013 Draft. He was selected No. 12 overall by the Oakland Raiders and played 92 games over nine years. He had 41 starts and four interceptions and 382 tackles.
He lived out his dream and was passing on his tale as the defensive backs coach for the Second Baptist School.
DJ lost his life much too early, but when I heard the news of his death in a tragic car accident, I had to reflect on the man that was counted out as a college prospect coming out of high school.
He was always going to beat the odds, because he didn’t see them as odds. DJ Hayden had a goal and pursued that goal with unwavering passion. He never had anything given to him. He overcame massive obstacles, physically and mentally.
He WORKED for what he wanted and didn’t take anything for granted. He was not going to relent.
Athletes across the country and especially in his hometown need to know DJ Hayden’s story.
He bet on himself and won.
Rest In Peace.
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