One of the loves that they share is playing the game of softball together for Fort Bend Christian Academy. The sisters also have to deal with being teenagers with Crohn's Disease, which they have to get treatment for every eight weeks, and Hope also has diabetes, which she has to monitor during the game.
VYPE talked with the sisters at the Fort Bend Christian spring media day. Learn more about the Payton duo and how much fun they have playing together.
Some of the stars of 2025-26 Houston Christian HS Basketball
“We could tell early on that we had something special,” Crandall said. “A lot of that came from our willingness to connect, starting in the offseason. We read The 7 Commitments of a Great Team together—going through a few pages each day and meeting twice a week to discuss it. That helped us get to know each other on a deeper level than just basketball. It became our focus and built a bond that was unbreakable—and one we were able to sustain.”
Houston Christian adapted The 7 Commitments as a guiding framework, emphasizing commitment to the team’s vision, positivity, continuous improvement, connection, and valuing each other. Those principles evolved into a player-driven mission statement: “Be a Brotherhood that inspires others through our infectious energy and discipline.”
On a broader level, the program’s identity is rooted in its “Be ELITE” mantra, introduced in 2020. More than a call to be superior, ELITE represents Excellence, Love, Identity, Thankfulness, and Enthusiasm.
“A coach told me a long time ago, ‘You are what you emphasize, and you get what you tolerate,’” Crandall said. “We want to be a team that emphasizes more than just going out there to hoop and win games. We want to be the young men God calls us to be, pursuing excellence through the process we follow each day.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The players delivered on that philosophy. Juniors Landon Veal, Josiah “Jojo” McGowen, and Will Arriaga—each All-SPC selections—often proved too much for opponents to handle. Veal’s standout season earned him a Guy V. Lewis Award nomination and Tournament MVP honors, while senior point guard Demetri Lewis, Aiden Pitcaithly, Xavier Gibbons, and Miller Martin each contributed selflessly to the team’s success.
“Everyone has a special role that they bring to the team, and we value what that is,” Crandall said. “Let’s minimize what they can’t do and maximize what they can do. We poured into each other to bring out the very best in everyone to fulfill that role.”
One might assume that winning a championship is the ultimate goal each season, but that’s part of what sets Houston Christian apart.
“We’re not defined by how many championships we win,” Crandall said. “We should be defined by the impact we have on people—that’s what legacy is about. Titles are just an experience you share with that team, but it’s the journey that led there that you’ll always remember.”
For Crandall and his Mustangs, that journey—built on connection, discipline, and shared values—remains the real blueprint of success.
The new head coach of Houston Christian's field hockey program, Meadoe Harrell-Alvarez
Her vision for the team exceeds wins and losses.
“My goal is to continue developing them physically, while also helping them understand the game and compete at a higher level,” she said. “They have the chance to be great, and I want to show them that in an environment where they feel both supported and challenged.”
Coach Harrell-Alvarez joins senior Isabella Diaz on the day she signed with Bellarmine UniversityPhoto provided by Harrell-Alvarez
Harrell-Alvarez’s credibility is rooted in experience as both a player and a coach. Beyond her work at HCHS, she plays a key role with Albion Field Hockey Club, a new extension of the long-established Albion Hurricanes Football Club.
Albion aims to build a sustainable youth program—including an adult league—across Texas. Harrell-Alvarez oversees curriculum, recruiting, tournament development, and promotion, blending hands-on coaching with program-building responsibilities.
“The passion has always been there for me as a coach,” she said. “But with the introduction of my position at HCHS and Albion, it’s more important that I show growth as well. Coaching really brings out opportunities for people, so I don’t want to just lead this Houston Christian team. I hope to be a beacon, and help others find that same love for the sport.”
Since her promotion, the dynamic with the team has remained consistent.
“The only thing that has changed is the title,” Harrell-Alvarez said. “They know I love field hockey and being around them. This team can be a safe haven and help them to progress, and I think we’re all just genuinely excited to see where this goes.”
Early achievements, she says, are rooted in confidence and progression.
“I’ll measure our success by how comfortable they feel on the field and in their positions. Wins will follow as they improve, but what matters most is their confidence in the game, the growth of their skills and fitness, and how they contribute in the classroom and community. Those qualities are already victories in my book.”
Utilizing a holistic approach, Harrell-Alvarez is shaping Houston Christian field hockey’s next chapter—one that is full of promise.
Sr. RHP/OF Millie Metz of the Houston Christian Mustangs
For Metz, the milestone wasn’t something she was actively chasing in the moment—it simply unfolded.
“I didn’t even know I had broken it until our manager told me,” Metz said. “I was really excited after, especially since this is my last season. I didn’t think I’d ever beat it.”
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
That understated reaction reflects the same steady mindset she carries into the circle. Rather than relying purely on velocity, Metz has honed a more nuanced approach to pitching—one built around movement and control.
“I focus more on spin than speed,” she said. “That takes up most of my training. And I really prioritize rest to give my arm a break—that’s something people don’t always think about in softball.”
That attention to detail has become even more important in her senior campaign. After Houston Christian graduated six seniors last season, Metz has taken on a larger role—both statistically and as a tone-setter.
“In previous years, I relied more on my defense,” she said. “This year, I’ve had to focus on making it harder for batters to put the ball in play.”
Her growth hasn’t come in isolation. Metz credits Houston Christian’s program for shaping her development, particularly in areas that extend beyond the stat sheet.
“The team has taught me what it means to be a leader,” she said. “And the girls know how to keep the game relaxed—it’s brought a lot of fun back into the sport for me this year.”
2025-26 Houston Christian HS SoftballJamey Wright (VYPE)
As the Mustangs (8–7 overall, 2–0 in SPC play) look ahead, that balance of focus and ease could prove pivotal. Metz believes the pieces are in place for a strong postseason push, with only minor refinements standing in the way.
“We can be tough competition at SPC,” she said. “If we clean up the little details, I think we’ll be hard to beat.”
For Metz, the record-setting performance is both a personal milestone and a glimpse of what’s still possible in her final season—proof that even the highest marks can be exceeded when preparation meets opportunity.
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