PUBLIC SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
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PRIVATE SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
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Three-Star Atascocita RB Cardae Mack
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Now a senior at Atascocita and a recent Arizona State-commit, Mack has become one of the state’s most complete and compelling individuals to put on a helmet. And while this fall will likely see him return to his natural position at running back, it was his all-around play last season – including a stint as a mobile quarterback – that showed just how adaptable and indispensable he can be.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“It all comes down to my family,” Mack said. “I’d always play with my brothers growing up, but I didn’t really get into it until around middle school, when I began to compete in select ball. At some point, I realized how good I was at the sport, so I locked myself in from there.”
That switch flipped hard. In 2024, Mack threw for nearly 1,900 yards and 18 touchdowns with just three interceptions – all while rushing for an additional 1,918 yards and 22 scores. His dual-threat dominance earned him District 23-6A MVP honors and carried the Eagles to a 12-2 finish, with their season ending in a fourth-round playoff loss to district rival North Shore.
But even in defeat, there’s perspective – and motivation.
“We won’t forget how it’s felt the past few years,” Mack said. “But I think a distinction we might have this season is the fact that we’ve already integrated the underclassmen into our gameplan. Our younger guys are going to be more developed and experienced. That could become one of our biggest advantages moving forward.”
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Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Mack’s leadership is grounded not just in talent, but in intention. It’s visible in the way he talks about his family’s influence, especially the work ethic he’s seen modeled by his parents.
“Someday, I intend to put them and myself in a good position, so they’ll never have to work again,” he said.
That same maturity showed up in his decision to commit to Arizona State in April, where he felt both seen and strategically valued.
“Coach [Kenny] Dillingham is an offensive genius, and Coach [Marcus] Arroyo is completely bought-in,” said Mack. “There’s already a plan in place of how they intend to utilize me in their schemes. That really compelled me to invest myself in that process.”
When it comes to who he emulates, Mack doesn’t hesitate: LeSean McCoy. It’s a fitting match for a back known for his shiftiness, vision, and creativity in the open field.
“He was my favorite back to watch growing up… even to this day I’ll still watch his highlights – sometimes before games,” Mack said. “The elusive running style he had is something that I see in myself.”
In a program that’s come close year after year, Mack enters his final season as the type of player who can tip the balance. He might have started in the middle, but now, all eyes are on him to lead.
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Three-Star Strake Jesuit RB John Hebert
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And that work spoke volumes – loud enough to earn him a commitment to Houston at the end of July.
As the centerpiece of Strake Jesuit’s offense, Hebert rushed for a staggering 3,542 yards and 40 total touchdowns in 2024, leading the state in rushing and finishing second nationally. He was named unanimous District 20-6A MVP and helped guide the Crusaders to a 9-4 finish and a third-round playoff berth in the 6A-D2 bracket.
Still, for someone who made that kind of impact, Hebert deflects praise as quickly as he breaks tackles.
“From a personal perspective, I obviously have to give a huge portion of the credit to the team,” he said. “The offensive line did their job on every single down last year, which clearly gave me the opportunity to do what I did.”
He didn’t forget the rest of the unit, either.
“I also need to recognize the selflessness and commitment that all the skill guys show, even if they don’t get all the attention.”
Make no mistake: Hebert is the engine of Strake Jesuit’s offense.
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That’s not a slight to his teammates – it’s a testament to how game-changing he is, even when defenses know exactly what’s coming.
His approach to the game reflects the same no-nonsense discipline that’s defined his life off the field, including his unusual (by modern standards) decision to grow up without a smartphone.
“In a way, you can’t miss what you never had,” Hebert said. “So, growing up without a phone is just something that I’ve gotten used to, really, because I’ve never needed one to function. It’s not like my family and I don’t have a TV, and my friend and I share a gaming system. We’re not off the grid completely,” he added with a laugh.
Still, as his recruitment gained traction, a phone became more necessity than luxury. Even then, his mindset hasn’t changed.
“My goal is to primarily use it for that purpose. I intend to live in the real world, and I don’t want anything to take me away from that.”
That grounded perspective has helped him become one of the state’s most respected backs – not just for his production, but for his relentlessness.
“I like to think it’s my determination,” he said. “I’ll always be the runner who gets right back to the line and is ready for the next step – only, this time, I want to be the one dealing out the punishment. Vision has also been a useful tool for me.”
When it comes to role models, Hebert sees himself in Christian McCaffrey – a versatile, workhorse back with a similar build and playing style. But he also points to Tim Tebow as a model of leadership and faith.
“I really admired the type of person he (Tebow) was on and off the field,” Hebert said. “His Christ-centered attitude is something that Strake Jesuit preaches, and it’s a mentality I aim to replicate.”
With one more season left in his already remarkable high school career, Hebert isn’t just looking to build on his stats. He’s elevating a team, staying true to himself – and proving that you don’t need a phone to make noise in Texas football.
You just need the ball.
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