Olivia Raymond
VYPE held the 2021 Baseball & Softball Preseason Photoshoot presented by Whataburger on Monday 18, 2021. Here's a look behind the scenes of the prime event!
VYPE held the 2021 Baseball & Softball Preseason Photoshoot presented by Whataburger on Monday 18, 2021. Here's a look behind the scenes of the prime event!
Well, it’s official. The Lamar Texans have solidified themselves as a legit contender in H-Town.
With a current record of 9-0 (5-0 in district), Lamar’s third-straight district title is sealed, as the postseason rapidly approaches.
“We’re very excited to be where we are,” said coach Michael Lindsey. “I think we had this expectation, coming into the season, and it’s been fun to see it play out. We’ve had several players returning from last year along with a great senior class, and we’re anticipating a run in the playoffs.”
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
The Texans’ record speaks for itself. However, it was their definitive 45-21 victory over fellow contender The Woodlands early on in the season that truly established Lindsey’s team as a force worth reckoning.
“A game like that gives everybody confidence,” he said. “It lets everyone know that we are who we thought we were. The Woodlands is a great program and we’ve certainly been on the other side of those games in the past. To have that performance early in the season kind of propelled us forward, and now the expectation every time we take the field is to dominate.”
So, what’s been the secret ingredient to Lamar’s success throughout the Fall?
“Highly-competitive players,” Lindsey said. “In practice, we do a lot of good-on-good, and the kids just want to compete. We don’t have a problem at all motivating our guys to improve, and of course that goes along with just having lots of talent on both sides of the ball. These guys have great athleticism, but they also work their tails off, which has shown on the field.”
Said competitive players include the dynamic Justin Howard (Sr. RB), who currently leads the Texans with 20 total scores on the season, with just over 700 yards rushing.
Additionally, Vanderbilt-commit Tristen Brown (Sr. WR), and dual-threat senior QB Jordan Reaves have been essential to the team’s offensive onslaught, while Lamar’s lockdown defense takes care of business consistently on their end.
After reaching the Area Round a year ago, the Texans seem destined to build upon their success and take that a step further in the upcoming postseason.
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 Aldine ISD 2023 Winter Media Day last month.
Check out some of the best that Nimitz High School has to offer in their Winter hype video!
As the regular season comes to a close, a surprise team has emerged on Houston’s volleyball scene.
Cypress Ridge has always been an underdog. But, that no longer seems to be the case. In her first-year as head coach, Lauren Maier has guided the Rams to their first-ever trip to the postseason.
Given the fact that this marks a historic point in the school’s history, it begs the question as to what has been the secret ingredient for this Cy Ridge team.
“This is a special group because the team chemistry – the bond that these girls have made – has brought us to new heights,” said Maier. “I was a little concerned at the beginning of the season since there was a mix of last year’s JV and varsity teams.”
“But, these girls are just so goofy and they bring themselves out of each other’s shells. I think that level of comfort and sisterhood has been so much of what’s brought us up this year.”
Photo by Andrea Rodriguez (CFISD)
Team captain Shaelin White (Sam Houston-commit) has led the charge from the OH spot, accumulating over 450 kills and 500 digs on the season. Meanwhile, fellow captain Lauren Songvilay (Sr. L) has orchestrated the offense, while Dercy Mercado (Jr. S) and Jolie Jones (Jr. OH) have made key contributions of their own.
According to Maier, she and the Rams knew what they were capable of after defeating their district counterpart Memorial in a five-set nail-biter, during the first round of district-play.
“I think that was the first time that my team truly faced and overcame adversity,” she said. “They didn’t shut down when things got hard, they came together. It was nerve wracking, but that just made the win so much better. That proved to the girls that they could do this – they could go all the way.”
They would proceed to sweep Memorial in round No. 2, before claiming the final playoff spot in the district to conclude the regular season.
So, what will it take for Cy Ridge to maintain their current momentum into the postseason?
“Discipline has been one of the key things that I’ve tried to instill within the program,” Maier said. “You’ve got to play with discipline and play within the system. Another key piece has been staying high in energy, in order to get us out of a rut if that happens. We need to have the mental capacity to not shut down and play our best, no matter the circumstances.”
The Bi-District round commences this upcoming Monday, when Cy Ridge will play on their home court against Bellaire.
History has already been made, but the Rams don’t plan on stopping there.
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