It will be a Hodge family affair at Fort Bend Christian Academy softball games this and even next spring.
Junior Avery Hodge, who is verbally committed to Oklahoma, is getting a neat opportunity for the first time in her playing career - getting to play with her little sister.
Hadley Hodge has arrived at the high school level.
The freshman will play behind the plate for the Eagles and even sometimes in that role catch for Avery whenever she gets called upon to pitch in the circle. Due to their age difference, coming up through select softball the Hodge sisters never found themselves on the same team.
Now, in 2021, that is all changed with them both in high school at Fort Bend Christian Academy. Learn more about the Hodge sisters in this VYPE Campus feature.
HOUSTON - When you think of Episcopal's Donovan Jackson a few things come to mind.
Ohio State-signee. Five-star offensive lineman. Number one lineman in the nation, No. 3 overall recruit in Texas, and the 18th-best overall prospect in the Class of 2021 by 247Sports.com.
Football is what comes to mind and it should.
But what if I told you he was among the best throwers in the country in discus in shot put as well?
"It's just that competitive mindset going from football to track and field," Jackson, who owns the No.7 overall discuss throw in Texas, said. "You always want to come out on top. That's what I try to do every time I go into the ring."
Jackson threw a personal-best 177-feet-1 inch last weekend at the St. John's Nick Finnegan Spring Invitational, which gave him the No. 7 spot. The top throw is owned by fellow lineman Bryce Foster of Katy Taylor (210-feet-10 inches).
As far as private school throwers, Jackson is the best. San Antonio Christian's Ethan Sanders is just behind him along with Caden Kitler of Plano John Paul II.
The Ohio State signee is trying to get his "name on the wall" at Episcopal before he leaves by breaking his previous school records and win another SPC Championship.
Jackson has thrown since his sophomore season. He won the SPC crown in shot put (51-2.25) and discus (165-feet) that season and is in line to do it again in 2021.
"It's an amazing season so far, more than what I wished for," Jackson said. "Just to go out to the rings again is a blessing enough. Trying to break the records I set last year and to win SPC again."
Jackson's best shot put throw of the year came at the Kinkaid Falcon Relays back in March when he tossed 54-feet-1-inch to win that meet. In the six meets that Jackson has thrown at this season, the senior has taken first in shot put and discus at all of them - 12 gold medals.
So, could we see Jackson also throw for the Buckeyes' track program one day?
"I would admit that thought did come up but I have to talk to the guys up there first," Jackson said with a chuckle.
Jackson is a highly-coveted offensive line recruit that Ohio State wants to get on-campus quickly to start getting him ready for the season.
The lineman from Episcopal - which is about to have potentially three NFL Draft picks next week (Jaylen Waddle-Alabama, Walker Little-Stanford and Marvin Wilson-Florida State) - just wants to do his part for the Buckeyes once he arrives.
"My goal for Ohio State is to contribute," he said. "Whether as a teammate or on the field. I want to do what I can to help the team win. So, every day I'm doing something, whether watching film on guys that are there now or working out to get stronger."
For all the ways you love to play, Academy Sports and Outdoors makes it easier than ever to gear up and have fun out there! Get free shipping on your favorite brands at academy.comor get free curbside or in-store pick-up at your Academy store. Gear up this Spring at Academy Sports and Outdoors.
Concordia Lutheran fared well at the District Tournament with both teams placing in the top five! The Girls team placed second overall, with Avery Csernik placing first individually, shooting an 89, and Abby Plagens placing fifth, shooting a 95. The Boys team placed fourth overall, with Carson Huwyler placing third individually, shooting a 75.
VARSITY TENNIS 4/13 vs Houston Christian* Girls 5-0 W • Boys 4-1 W
Coach Jill DelRio: The one loss on the boys' side was to a very talented Houston Christian player.
Next up for Dragon Tennis: April 19 vs. St. John's*, 3:30 p.m. April 23 vs. Episcopal High School*, 4 p.m. SENIOR RECOGNITION for tennis & golf
VARSITY TRACK & FIELD 4/16-17 at Nick Finnegan Invitational Girls 7th place • Boys 3rd place
Coach Scott Holland: This meet gave us a good look at our competition for the SPC South Zone Meet on May 1. Weather conditions were constantly changing from light rain, winds that gusted off and on, plus a 15-minute lightning delay. Despite the conditions, we competed well–17 PRs set, and we are looking forward to getting back to work to improve for the South Zone Meet.
Girls Team • 7th place Amarachukwu Oguchi: CHAMPION Shot Put & Discus Haley Lien: 3rd 100m Hurdles Mobis Bassir: 5th Triple Jump Onese Ewherido: 5th 400m & 8th 200m
Boys' Team • 3rd place 4X400m Relay Team CHAMPION : Tanure Ewherido, Carson Hanson, Amir Rizvi, Jackson Kovin 4X800m Relay 2nd : Andrew Wilkerson, Carson Hanson, Will McDermott, Vishnu Swaminathan Amir Rizvi: 2nd 300m Hurdles & 4th 110m Hurdles Tanure Ewherido: 2nd 400m Will McDermott: 3rd 1600m Ben Currin: 3rd Discus & 5th Shot Put Vishnu Swaminathan: 5th 1600m Owen Woodside: 5th Discus & 6th Shot Put Jackson Kovin: 6th 200m Adam Elsolh: 7th 400m Connor Dove: 7th Shot Put & 7th Discus Matthew Rock: 8th Triple Jump
Next up for Dragon Track & Field: April 30-May 1 at SPC South Zone, St. John's
VARSITY GIRLS SOFTBALL 4/13 vs Kinkaid* • 16-6 L
Coach Nicole Hedden: The Dragons evened it up at six in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jenna Braun went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the Dragons in hits.
Next up for Dragon Girls Softball: April 20 at Houston Christian*, 5 p.m. April 22 at Cypress Christian*, 4:30 p.m.
VARSITY BOYS BASEBALL 4/13 at Episcopal High School* • 8-1 L 4/15 at Fort Bend Christian Academy • 8-5 L
Next up for Dragon Boys Baseball: April 23 at St. John's*, 7 p.m. April 24 vs Kinkaid*, 1 p.m.
VARSITY GOLF Next up for Dragon Golf: April 20 hosting Cooper Invitational at Woodforest Golf Club, 9 a.m.
