Second Baptist's Emily Rogers
The Eagles’ game-changing senior Emily Rogers has been a key factor in establishing the team’s precedent of greatness.
Rogers was instrumental in the Second Baptist School’s 2021 TAPPS State Championship win. Following last season, in which she earned all-state and all-tournament team honors en route to ushering the team to a Regional Finals appearance, she is determined to help bring the title back to SBS.
“This season, I expect our team to be in the top three of our district (TAPPS D2-District 5),” said Rogers. “I’m looking forward to making another run for the state title. Some of my favorite memories are from our 2021 season when we won it all. Chasing after the championship is a thrilling experience and allows our team to grow on and off the field.”
Ever since her breakout sophomore year, Rogers has become one of the primary leaders on this talented Eagles’ roster. Embodying that role is something she takes to heart.
“Being a leader on the team is special to me because I get to share my knowledge with my teammates and help them grow as previous players did before me,” she said. “With many new players this year, I have the opportunity to be a role model to them and help them have fun and gain confidence.”
Considering the accolades and experience Rogers has gained over the years, it’s no surprise that she’s received numerous offers to play in college. Subsequently, the SBS senior has decided to continue playing softball at the Colorado School of Mines.
“I was looking for a high academic school where I could study engineering and play softball,” Rogers said. “Mines was a perfect fit for me.”
As she continues to leave her legacy, Rogers looks back on her last four years with fondness.
“From my freshman year to now, I have grown as a player physically and mentally,” she said. “Through challenges and successes, playing for Second Baptist School has taught me several life lessons from my coaches and teammates. My experience as an Eagle has me well-prepared for the future.”
Rogers will intend to add to her fond memories before she moves on to Mines over the coming months. Therefore, the Eagles will be that much more determined as they pursue another state championship, this Spring.
The 2022-23 LSA Swim Team after their victory in the Regional Finals
In recent years, the LSA boys have become a model of consistency, considering they are the reigning State Champs, and also won it all in 2020.
The 2022 TAPPS-D2 Swim Champions: Lutheran South Academy
Despite LSA having fewer swimmers than most, coach Jamie Mueller emphasizes quality over quality in her confidence that both the boys' and girls’ teams can bring home some medals this week.
“Our high school team, it might be small, and we’re always looked at as the underdogs,” said Mueller. “But, our skill set and perseverance always show through at State. A State Title isn’t out of the question for us. We’re definitely going to be contending and for sure bringing home some medals, individually.”
Said individuals who are sure to stand out on the boys’ side include senior swimmers Kai Beckum and Elliott Miles, who already have two titles under their belts. They’ve been among the leaders on the young Pioneers' team.
“Sometimes it’s a little tricky to set an example for the younger athletes, the kids are kind of rowdy,” laughed Beckum. “So, our coaches need a little more help than usual and I’m glad to do that. But we all know when it comes to State, we won’t have time to mess around, so we’ll get business done.”
Miles shares the same sentiment.
“I’m hoping to inspire the freshman and younger crowd during my time here,” said Miles. “It takes a lot of dedication and hard work to reach the level of success we have with such a small team. But we thrive in that.”
The girls’ team, despite not having the recent success of the boys, has performed exceptionally well this season. Sophomore Lauren Ferguson, younger sister of LSA swim star Chase Ferguson, is aiming to lead the girls to their first State Title while carrying the Ferguson torch.
LSA's Lauren Ferguson and her older brother, ChasePhoto from Ferguson's Instagram: @lauren.ferguson06
“It’s so cool to be a part of a team that’s been built up so much,” Ferguson said. “Really having that strong backbone with my teammates behind me, that’s really what can make our success happen. The positivity that everyone creates at all the meets, it wouldn’t be what it is without them.”
Coach Mueller will look to her leaders to push the rest of Pioneer Swim during Tuesday’s State meet, with the goal of bringing home another TAPPS State Championship.
“Everyone on the team has a winning mentality, especially the older kids,” Mueller said. “With them, the attitude is always not screwing around at practice, taking it seriously, and cheering everybody else on. They know how to be a part of the team and when it’s a meet day, attention will be on high alert and it will be all business for us.”
LSA's Makynna Robbins
Remaining a competitor on an annual basis in a formidable TAPPS division (District 5-5A), is easier said than done. With rivals who are perennial contenders, such as TWCA and Second Baptist constantly challenging for the top spot, the fact that the Pioneers consistently rise to the occasion is a testament to their tenacity.
LSA (15-7) currently holds the No. 2 spot (8-2) in the district, with the playoffs only weeks away. This can be attributed to the dynamic talent that LSA has on the court, particularly that of junior guard Makynna Robbins, who is currently averaging 18 PPG, an absurd 14 rebounds per game, with an additional two steals per game.
2022-23 Lutheran South Academy Girls BasketballJamey Wright (VYPE)
“I had the role of being the only standout of the team last season," she said. "This year, we have a much more complete team with Dakota Watson (Sr.-G), Caroline Schepmann (Sr.-P), Bianca Barba (Jr.-G), and Adori Howard (So.-SG). Three or four of us have scored in the double-digits in recent games.”
Robbins and her teammates are no strangers to the playoffs, however, they have faced some unlucky first-round exits in recent years. But according to Robbins, this year will be different.
“I expect us to play our best basketball of the season in the playoffs,” said Robbins. “I also expect us to make it to Waco for the Final Four. We pose a tougher match-up for our opponents this year with multiple scorers on the team.”
The 5-foot-11 guard has been instrumental for the Pioneers over the past three years. She made history by passing the 1,000-point high school career milestone in their recent 61-38 victory over St, John XXIII. College offers should be expected to roll in, sooner rather than later, and that’s exactly what Robbins will be waiting for.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
“I will be playing in college,” she said. “This summers camps and club tournaments will help me determine my options of where I want to go after I graduate.”
The postseason is quickly approaching and LSA is aiming to make a deep run. Subsequently, Robbins still has one more year left as a Pioneer, and she intends to continue adding to the Lutheran South Academy legacy, which she has the utmost respect for.
“I love playing for coach [Garret] Riveness who gives me every opportunity to succeed. I have two aunts that were Pioneer basketball players and I'm still chasing one of their records," she said. "Ultimately, I am blessed to be a part of the Pioneer legacy, where athletes like me can play their primary sport at a high level and still be a three-sport athlete.”Join the #VYPETEAM
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