Watch below as Matt talks with Stratford Head Football Coach Todd Rankin:
Hightower Jr. C Ogechi Okeke
Isaiah Vela (VYPE)
Wrong. She’s just as likely to help an opponent up off the floor as she is to post them up on it.
“I moved from Sweden before the eighth grade and I’m still pretty new to basketball,” the super junior said. “I was really uncoordinated at first and would let the little things get to me. I’ve read several books on mental health, and my confidence has improved so much. I want to uplift people— that’s just my nature.
“I used to hate my height. Now, I love it and the opportunities it’s giving me.”
Isaiah Vela (VYPE)
Now ranked No. 19 nationally in the Class of 2027, the Hightower junior is one of the most coveted recruits in the country. She helped lead the Hurricanes to the Class 6A State Finals, earning spots on the All-State Tournament Team, All-Region Team, and first-team all-district.
And now, it’s her time.
“Coach (Jasmine Brewer) has made this program a sisterhood,” Okeke said. “She’s been telling me since my freshman year that there would come a time when I’d need to lead. I think that time is now.
“I never realized how many people looked up to me — my teammates really rely on me. I’m not just doing it for me anymore. It’s for us. I’m pouring my energy into them and making sure everyone feels at home.”
The stars of 2025-26 Hightower Girls BasketballIsaiah Vela (VYPE)
Whether it’s making TikToks, hanging out at each other’s houses, or hitting Chick-fil-A, the Hurricanes have that rare chemistry —that special sauce — every great program needs.
“My social life, my school life, and my basketball life —they’re all the same people,” she said. “These girls are my family. We lean on each other because we’re all going through the same things, on and off the court.”
The sisterhood is real.
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Friendswood's Chase Richardson (Jr. G)
Matt Powell (VYPE)
So, what makes him special?
Richardson plays with a chip on his shoulder — always has. He’s never been the best player on his AAU team, and that fuels him.I t pushes him to outwork, outthink, and outcompete everyone in the gym.
He lives in the gym, training under the tutelage of TJ Ford, the former Houston high school basketball legend from Willowridge who went on to star at Texas and play 10 seasons in the NBA.
Matt Powell (VYPE)
But there’s more to the Richardson story.
His father, Chad Richardson, was the starting quarterback for Rice University in the 1990s. His mother, Anne, was an All-American hurdler at the University of Wyoming. And his sister, Charlotte, plays soccer at the University of Houston. Get the picture?
Athleticism runs deep in the Richardson bloodline— and Chase is the baby of the bunch. He actually began his athletic career as a left-handed pitcher, which explains his ability to fire pinpoint, full-court passes and throw down thunderous left-handed dunks.
The twist? He shoots right-handed.
“I loved baseball,” he laughed. “But the energy of basketball took over my life. The pace, the crowd, the creativity, the explosiveness —it’s what I love about the game.
“As I got bigger and stronger, I started to get more confident and it began to grow. I’ve always been a leader, and as I become an upperclassman, I will continue to develop that quality even more. It’s great seeing all of this hard work paying off.”
Richardson’s recruiting process is heating up. He’s taken official visits to Notre Dame, SMU, and Iowa, with many more to come. Over the next 18 months, he’ll have his pick of elite programs. As for his on-court inspiration?
“I love Jason Williams,” he said. “The confidence he played with was crazy. He was fearless and broke all the stereotypes. I love the style and flair he played with.”
As Richardson continues to carve out his journey on the hardwood, his blend of work ethic, family lineage, and natural talent make him a can’t-miss prospect — one who’s just getting started.
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