VYPE caught up with Jamie Deshazo Head Coach of Bridge City Girls Track at the VYPE Bridge City ISD Spring Media Day about the new season and more!
Check out the interview below!
VYPE caught up with Jamie Deshazo Head Coach of Bridge City Girls Track at the VYPE Bridge City ISD Spring Media Day about the new season and more!
Check out the interview below!
VYPE caught up with Bridge City High School Golf Coach Ray Weaver at their 2023-24 Winter/Spring Media Day, discussing the upcoming season and more.
Check out the interview below!
On the Texas high school tennis scene, there have been few teams that have experienced the meteoric rise of Hamshire-Fannett.
That is all thanks to the actions of head coach Hélène Czudek.
Following her own playing career which saw her compete on the D1 collegiate level at Lamar University, the French-born Czudek certainly had her work cut out for her when she took over the Longhorns tennis program in 2016.
"We started with nothing, so it was a challenging project to say the least," she said. "We had three courts in terrible shape, the nets were ripped apart and falling to the ground from previous hurricanes and lack of funds. So, I would purchase my own equipment, balls and hunt for nets that other coaches would toss out to use them for us, because they would be in better shape that what we had."
Given the circumstances, it would be a daunting task for any coach to undertake. However, that wouldn't stop this particular one from rejuvenating the team from the ground up.
"During my first interview, the principal told me at the time that there were eight people on the team and that there were not much of a program," said Czudek. "I knew it was a huge challenge and opportunity for me to do something big. Fast forward to 2020, and we had 45 players in the team practicing on two courts which was hectic, but incredibly fun."
2023-24 Hamshire-Fannett Tennis
"Once COVID hit, all sports were of course cancelled, which prompted me to eventually create a second, and even third program for high school and middle school. Now, we just won our seventh district title in the Fall and are consistently in the top-15 schools in the state."
After achieving "lucky number 7" district titles, Czudek made the difficult decision to retire from the program she built, due to the fact that she's moving to New York to be with her husband.
"I said my goodbyes to the players and family that I have known for years to tell them the big news," she said. "I have grown very attached to my Hamshire-Fannett family and goodbyes were extremely difficult, but I am confident that my assistant coach will continue our legacy. I am very grateful for all my years at Hamshire-Fannett and the support I had from the community."
Coach Andrea Islas now takes the reins of the program, as the Longhorns will look to claim their eighth-consecutive district title, in line of the legacy established by coach Czudek.
BASEBALL IS ARGUABLY THE LIFEBLOOD OF BRIDGE CITY.
Therefore, it goes without saying that the competitors within the program come from a special kind of stock.
Enter John Van Huis.
The senior center fielder for the Cardinals is a Bridge City-lifer, crafting his game since day one to become one of the undisputed leaders of the program.
“I started at an early age, playing t-ball,” he said. “It was supposed to just be something fun and it turned into something that built my hard work-ethic. I actually wasn’t very good when I was younger, but my Dad and I worked through it and eventually it grew into where I’m at now. The game has taught me several lessons over the years, and it’s played a big part in shaping me.”
That work ethic will be taking Van Huis south next Fall, as he will continue his baseball career at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“It’s a Division-I school, so it’s big-boy baseball. I’ve always wanted to compete at the highest level possible,” said Van Huis. “It’s a beautiful campus right on the water on top of that, which is always a plus. It will be a good stepping-stone of where I want to be.”
Not shocking that City native wants to stay somewhere Gulf. Before he becomes an Islander, however, Van Huis has high expectations for both himself and his teammates on the diamond.
“This will be another year of Bridge City baseball,” he said. “We’re going to have a lot of young guys that people won’t necessarily be looking for right at the start. They’re going to step up. I hope to lead by example and go all-state for my final year in the program. Of course, a deep playoff run would be nice too. It’s going to be a really great year for us.”
2023-24 Bridge City BaseballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
As one might expect, the Cardinals’ captain will thrive on more than just the love of the game when he takes to the field this Spring.
“Bridge City has a somewhat small community feel so everyone knows one another and rallies around each other,” Van Huis said. “Baseball is kind of the brand of Bridge City, so every Friday night it’s always packed. That kind of support is awesome to see as a player and it helps to fire us up.”
The Cards finished second in a tough district a year ago (9-3) before reaching the second round of the postseason. Could this be the year that Van Huis and company turn that up a notch?
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