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!
The Woodlands High School Soccer has solidified itself as an established H-TOWN powerhouse, on the pitch.
With yet another dominant season, boasting a 19-2-2 (W-L-T) record and an undefeated district record (14-0-2), the Highlanders have secured their fifteenth-consecutive District 13-6A Championship.
Prior to the season kick-off, it was well known that TWHS meant business, considering they had advanced to the UIL State Semis in 2022. But who knew they could succeed to this degree, despite having a relatively young roster?
TWHS' GK Danny RamseyPhoto provided by TWHS Coach Jason Fanning
“The boys have worked very hard every day,” said Head Coach Jason Fanning. “Squad depth means everyone pushes each other for playing time, which has created a very competitive atmosphere.”
TWHS Soccer has remained undefeated in district play dating back to the 2020-21 season, and as expected, the Highlanders were a force to be reckoned with, yet again, this Winter.
The team’s skipper, senior Forward Reinaldo Perera (9 goals, 5 assists), and junior Henrique Caputo (17 goals, 4 assists) made it difficult for opponents to keep up against the TWHS defense, despite their anchor on the back-line, Rodrigo Checa missing time due to injury.
TWHS' Henrique CaputoPhoto provided by TWHS Coach Jason Fanning
“[Rodrigo] Checa has been dealing with some nagging injuries that prevented him from playing,” Fanning said. “However, our defense only conceded six goals in the district. Offensively, Reinaldo [Perera] has been incredibly consistent for us, and I felt that Henrique [Caputo] would be a significant contributor, but I’m really impressed with his goal-scoring ability.”
After their UIL State Title hopes were cut short last season when they fell to Lake Travis in the State Semis, the Highlanders will aim to flip the script this postseason.
TWHS' Mateo ScialacomoPhoto provided by TWHS Coach Jason Fanning
“Our team goes into every match believing we are going to win,” said Fanning. “We prioritize belief in your abilities, and right now we are trying to finish up district play with a strong effort and then prepare for our first-round opponent.”
Since taking over the program in 2018, Head Coach Jason Fanning has bolstered the TWHS culture of winning. In addition, he imbues his athletes to be more, on and off the field.
Photo provided by TWHS Coach Jason Fanning
“I continually stress hard work and accountability in my training,” Fanning said. “If you maintain these two things, you will be someone others look to and rely on.”
The Highlanders will undoubtedly look to one another on the pitch, once their UIL postseason begins on March 24. TWHS Soccer has been dominant all season. Now it’s time to carry that over into the playoffs.
The South Houston area is loaded with talented athletes who give it their all in their respective fields of play.
Welcome to the VYPE Playmakers, powered by UTMB Health, where we’re highlighting five standouts of the Houston area. Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week!
Jamie Wight (VYPE)
The Clear Falls basketball team made school history, reaching the Class 6A Region III Finals. They just fell short of State against No. 1 Beaumont United. Well, what will first-year head coach Bryan Shelton do for an encore? Shelton played at Clear Brook and the University of Houston and is now one of the hottest young coaches in the state of Texas, earning District 24-6A Coach of the Year honors. Stay tuned
Juan De Leon (VYPE)
Every great softball team needs an ace. The Dawson Eagles have one of the best in the nation in Gigi Solis. The No. 38 player in the nation, as ranked by Extra Innings Softball, has signed with Southern Mississippi. She has a great rise ball and a crafty curve ball which are nasty. Solis hopes to lead the Eagles deep into the postseason for her senior season.
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Deer Park baseball is a big brand in the state of Texas. The Deer are a power program with several of their stars in the college game. Dillon Lester will be the next big recruit, having already signed with Baylor to be their backstop for years to come. Lester is also solid at the plate able to hit for average and power from the right side.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The most notable cause for celebration for the Pioneers recently was when junior Wilson Klein burst onto the scene in the Pole Vault event, (15’ 1’’) setting a new school record in a recent meet. This achievement not only solidifies Klein’s name in LSA’s history but also ties him with the No. 16 ranking in the state of Texas, propelling him into TAPPS State contention.
Photo acquired via Clear Brook GBB Twitter: @CBHSLadyBBall
Clear Brook ran through District 24-6A with an undefeated record led by first-year head coach Mileka Loydrake. Loydrake played at Clear Springs under the direction of legend Pam Crawford before playing at UH and St. Edwards. The Wolverines reached the Regional Quarters before falling to Pearland. The District 24-6A Coach of the Year is building a power program in south Houston and will return her top two stars next season – Kamryn McLaurin and Rezia Castillo.
If Cy-Fair ISD had a “Comeback Player of the Year” category in its season superlatives, then Cy-Fair High School Baseball would have a lock for the award.
On February 23 of last year, Cy-Fair’s 2B/RHP Wesley Worley suffered a horrific accident following a team practice, that resulted in a traumatic head injury. He was subsequently rushed to a nearby hospital where he underwent a series of CAT scans that revealed his brain was bleeding inside his skull.
The medical professionals proceeded to perform an emergency craniotomy on Worley in order to save the then-sophomore’s life.
Worley recovering in the hospital, post-surgeryPhoto provided by Wesley Worley: @WesleyWol
The surgery was performed successfully, and Worley spent the next two weeks in ICU.
After several months of rehabilitation at TIRR Memorial Herman Inpatient and Outpatient care and continuing his schoolwork online, Worley would ultimately return to CFHS this year.
“My journey through the brain injury was tough, but at the time I felt like I was invincible,” said Worley. “But, at the time I felt like I was invincible. Now, I don’t remember much until a few weeks after my injury, so I never fully experienced the majority of the pain I went through. I am so grateful to the medical staff who saved me and tolerated me during the recovery process.”
Photo provided by Wesley Worley: @WesleyWorley5
However, that was only the beginning for the Cy-Fair junior.
“Watching my summer and high school team play was difficult for me,” he said. “The hardest part of my recovery was just time. There’s nothing I can do to change time and what I’ve missed. When I heard how long it could take for me to recover, I was devastated. But I couldn’t give up on the game I love and playing ball with my brothers.”
Photo provided by Wesley Worley: @WesleyWorley5
What’s even more remarkable is the fact that Worley ultimately decided to return to the diamond, after being cleared just before Martin Luther King Jr. Day of this year.
“Now that I’m finally back, the game means more to me than just hitting, throwing, and catching,” Worley said. “I found purpose in baseball, this year, and I’m so blessed to be back. With our team coming off back-to-back district championships, we now have a target on our backs. We’ll go from one game to the next and when district is done, we hope to be nothing but 1-0.”
Some of the stars of 2022-23 Cy-Fair High School BaseballJustin Hartojo (VYPE)
Worley’s journey back to the game is truly miraculous and has given him a deeper appreciation for it. He will carry on this passion as he and his team proceed through the remainder of the season, and beyond.
“This injury has and will keep changing my outlook on life,” said Worley. “If there’s one thing I took away from this, it’s to never take anything for granted, because you never know when it’s your last play on the field or even your last breath on Earth. Thankfully, I was in many others’ prayers and God’s hands. I couldn’t have done it without all the support I received.”
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