HOUSTON - Standing in the back of the endzone of AT&T Stadium in December of 2018, North Shore's Dematrius Davis hurled a Hail Mary pass into the endzone. Ajani Carter went up and came down with the football with Shadrach Banks draped over his shoulders.
North Shore had just won the Class 6A Division I State Championship on a Hail Mary.
Then, there was Matthew Boling's amazing run to the UIL State Track & Field Meet in May of 2019. Boling smashed records in the long jump, 100-meter dash and ran one of the most historic final legs of the 4x400-meter relay.
Last June, there was Lake Creek softball. To go undefeated in softball is an amazing feat. Ava Brown was untouchable. Lake Creek was unstoppable. Their lineup mimicked that of the Houston Astros. Just strong top to bottom. Watching them complete the undefeated season was unforgettable.
Watching the track dynasty that has been created at Fort Bend Marshall by Lloyd Banks and company. The Buffs boys and girls teams are rolling. So is Summer Creek as back-to-back state champs.
These are the memories that I will cherish and walk away with as my time at VYPE comes to a close after 5 1/2 years. What a pleasure it has been to cover High School sports in the city of Houston.
Houston became my home in 2014.
I have covered HS sports in some form since then and now I am seeing some of the players I covered (Shelby McGlaun of Atascocita) coming back as coaches or getting their jerseys retired by their high school (Kenyon Green).
The countless State Championships I have gone and covered have been amazing. The chance to watch these kids and coaches fulfill their dreams is something you can't match. The tears of joy. The hoisting of that trophy and the ceremonial ice water bath.
The players I have seen and covered.
Some that come to mind are Charli Collier (Barbers Hill), Carsen Edwards (Atascocita), Dematrius Davis, Shadrach Banks and Zach Evans (North Shore), Rori Harmon and Kyndall Hunter (Cypress Creek), Austin Benigni (TWCA), Sophia Simpson (Barbers Hill), Aly Batenhorst (Seven Lakes), Devon Achane (FB Marshall) and so many others.
The coaches and Athletic Directors I have gotten to work with have been amazing.
So, those are just some of the memories. But it is time to close this chapter and move on to the next one in my life.
I can't thank Matt Malatesta enough for giving me the opportunity to join VYPE nearly 6 years ago. What I have learned from him is more than just about writing. It is about life and having fun in what you are doing. Building relationships and being the best at what you do. We have worked side-by-side for the past 5 1/2 years, created over 100 magazines together and enjoyed many lunches and coffees. I know that I wouldn't be who I am today without him as he has let me flourish and grow into a leadership position.
Mattie Ice, thanks for everything.
Also, thanks to Derek Dusek, Shane Hildreth, Justin Bull and the entire VYPE Management team for all they've done. Then to the people I've gotten to work with at VYPE - Dennis Silva II, Bradley Collier, Danie Tiller, Justin Hartojo, Carrie Friess, Matthew Reese, Thomas Bingham, Jackson DiPasquale, Cameron Driskill, Shana Willeford, Joshua Waclawczyk and so many many more - you have been great.
All I can say is thank you!
Since I was in middle school, I had dreamed about becoming a sports writer. I got to do that for the past 12 years since I walked into the doors of the Daily Toreador at Texas Tech and met Adam Coleman, who now works for The Athletic, and he gave me my first shot.
I have poured my heart and soul into VYPE and I expect them to flourish and continue to grow as the years move on. I will enjoy watching it happen.
So, after thousands and thousands of words. My final two for VYPE are these.
THANK YOU!
Dana Strange (VYPE)
The featured standouts of the 2026–27 Alief Taylor Lions volleyball team.Dana Strange (VYPE)
